Kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit may be allowed to send a letter to his parents, former American President Jimmy Carter told Industry Trade and Labor Minister Eli Yishai (Shas), one of the few government officials who agreed to meet with Carter. The Shas leader also said that the former president, who met with Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal in Damascus on Friday and Saturday, informed him that Shalit is in good health.
The soldier was abducted in a cross-border raid almost two years ago, but Hamas has refused to allow Red Cross attempts to communicate with him, as provided by the Geneva Convention. Two audio tapes have been released, but voice experts have said the statements were made under pressure.
"I asked Carter to tell Hamas officials that the letter be sent during the Passover holiday," Minister Yishai said, "but it appears it will be sent afterwards." However, Carter said he had no additional information on the other kidnapped IDF soldiers, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, whose fate is not known.