The rally will take place at Rabin Square, and will include speeches by non-politicians only, performances by top musicians, and more. Under the slogan V'Shavu Banim L'Gvulam, the Biblical phrase for 'the children will return to their borders,' the rally's purpose is to reawaken public awareness about the need to "bring the boys home."
Among the songs to be performed at the rally will be "It's Not Over," with words written by Gilad Shalit's sister Racheli especially for tonight's event. "Personal corners" for each of the three soldiers will include pictures, videos and artifacts connected with them.
The rally is being organized by family and friends of the three soldiers: Gilad Shalit, Eldad Regev and Ehud (Udi) Goldwasser. The cause has united people and groups from across the political spectrum, who together will call upon the Olmert government not to let up on efforts to secure the release of the three soldiers.
The Yesha Council, representing the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, has called upon the public to "unite around the issue of the captive soldiers, with no connection to the political situation or one's feelings about the government."
One of the organizers, Gen. (ret.) Uzi Dayan, said that though it would be more convenient to hold the rally over the Sabbath, "it was set for Thursday night in order to allow religiously-observant citizens to take part."
The soldiers' families have met with prominent international personalities, including the UN's Kofi Annan and former U.S. Presidential candidate Jesse Jackson. Jackson told them he was told that the captives' condition is satisfactory, but added that he was shown no evidence to this effect. None of the three captives have been visited by Red Cross or other officials.
Special traffic arrangements have been made in Tel Aviv in honor of the event, including road closings and special bus and train schedules.
In Kyoto, Japan, Israel's Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger, speaking at the "Religions for Peace" World Assembly this week, brought up the issue of the captives before more than 500 participating religious leaders from all over the world. Holding a siddur [prayerbook] in his hand, he dramatically asked Dr. William Vendley, Secretary-General of the Religions for Peace World Conference, to work to have it delivered to the abducted soldiers.
Rabbi Metzger asked Vendley to use his influence with former Iranian President Hatami. "At this conference of religious leaders for peace," Rabbi Metzger said, "I ask that the soldiers be allowed to pray, just as the State of Israel allows its prisoners full freedom of worship."
Though the Iranian participants had walked out of the Religions for Peace session to protest Rabbi Metzger's speech, Dr. Wendley graciously stepped up to the podium to accept the prayerbook, and promised to do what he could to make sure it was delivered.
A Letter from Ron Arad
The three newest captive soldiers were captured over the past several weeks. Gilad Shalit was captured from his tank just outside Gaza over two months ago after terrorists tunneled into Israel from Gaza; two soldiers were killed. Goldwasser and Regev were abducted seven weeks ago by Hizbullah terrorists on the Lebanese-Israeli border, and eight soldiers were killed during the attack or immediately afterwards.
The longest-held Israeli captives are Tzvi Feldman, Yehuda Katz and Zack Baumel, who were taken prisoner in 1982 during the Peace for Galilee War in Lebanon, and have not been heard of since.
in 1986, IAF navigator Ron Arad was captured when his plane was downed over Lebanon, and has been held prisoner for 20 years. The last letter his wife and family received from him was written after his first year in captivity, and reads (in part) as follows:
"...Today is our New Year (Rosh HaShanah), I think... Much time has passed; a year, right? Sometimes I dream about you, but I try not to think too much, in order not to be too depressed... My hand is improving little by little, but it will be fine when I can return to full action, if G-d and the leaders will it, with G-d's blessing and with the good will of the leaders. I pray for this every day for many hours, and I hope that you are doing the same.
"I know it is hard to ask, but try to do everything for me. I don't know how, but please, say something up there, to our leaders, to whoever can do something to get me out of here...
"I must say, Tami, that I now understand your desire to help prisoners... You can help the prisoners of this organization, help them pass the time and live a little bit better - a little more food, a prayer book - anything you can do is something! You cannot imagine how any little thing is so significant for a person who is alone and far away...
"Continue to bring up our daughter as best you can; you can do it. I hope to see you all soon - just look back and see that a year has passed and very little has been done. Try to do more, for the good of all of us. I know it is hard, but tell someone that we must bridge over the hatred and fear via caring, love, and compassion. May G-d help us to see each other very soon. Soon it will be Yom Kippur, and I pray, with you, that G-d will bless all of us. I hope that He will help the leaders make the right decisions... Don't give up; better days will come. I am also trying not to give up, as best as I can... Love, Ron"
Among the songs to be performed at the rally will be "It's Not Over," with words written by Gilad Shalit's sister Racheli especially for tonight's event. "Personal corners" for each of the three soldiers will include pictures, videos and artifacts connected with them.
The rally is being organized by family and friends of the three soldiers: Gilad Shalit, Eldad Regev and Ehud (Udi) Goldwasser. The cause has united people and groups from across the political spectrum, who together will call upon the Olmert government not to let up on efforts to secure the release of the three soldiers.
The Yesha Council, representing the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, has called upon the public to "unite around the issue of the captive soldiers, with no connection to the political situation or one's feelings about the government."
One of the organizers, Gen. (ret.) Uzi Dayan, said that though it would be more convenient to hold the rally over the Sabbath, "it was set for Thursday night in order to allow religiously-observant citizens to take part."
The soldiers' families have met with prominent international personalities, including the UN's Kofi Annan and former U.S. Presidential candidate Jesse Jackson. Jackson told them he was told that the captives' condition is satisfactory, but added that he was shown no evidence to this effect. None of the three captives have been visited by Red Cross or other officials.
Special traffic arrangements have been made in Tel Aviv in honor of the event, including road closings and special bus and train schedules.
In Kyoto, Japan, Israel's Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger, speaking at the "Religions for Peace" World Assembly this week, brought up the issue of the captives before more than 500 participating religious leaders from all over the world. Holding a siddur [prayerbook] in his hand, he dramatically asked Dr. William Vendley, Secretary-General of the Religions for Peace World Conference, to work to have it delivered to the abducted soldiers.
Rabbi Metzger asked Vendley to use his influence with former Iranian President Hatami. "At this conference of religious leaders for peace," Rabbi Metzger said, "I ask that the soldiers be allowed to pray, just as the State of Israel allows its prisoners full freedom of worship."
Though the Iranian participants had walked out of the Religions for Peace session to protest Rabbi Metzger's speech, Dr. Wendley graciously stepped up to the podium to accept the prayerbook, and promised to do what he could to make sure it was delivered.
A Letter from Ron Arad
The three newest captive soldiers were captured over the past several weeks. Gilad Shalit was captured from his tank just outside Gaza over two months ago after terrorists tunneled into Israel from Gaza; two soldiers were killed. Goldwasser and Regev were abducted seven weeks ago by Hizbullah terrorists on the Lebanese-Israeli border, and eight soldiers were killed during the attack or immediately afterwards.
The longest-held Israeli captives are Tzvi Feldman, Yehuda Katz and Zack Baumel, who were taken prisoner in 1982 during the Peace for Galilee War in Lebanon, and have not been heard of since.
in 1986, IAF navigator Ron Arad was captured when his plane was downed over Lebanon, and has been held prisoner for 20 years. The last letter his wife and family received from him was written after his first year in captivity, and reads (in part) as follows:
"...Today is our New Year (Rosh HaShanah), I think... Much time has passed; a year, right? Sometimes I dream about you, but I try not to think too much, in order not to be too depressed... My hand is improving little by little, but it will be fine when I can return to full action, if G-d and the leaders will it, with G-d's blessing and with the good will of the leaders. I pray for this every day for many hours, and I hope that you are doing the same.
"I know it is hard to ask, but try to do everything for me. I don't know how, but please, say something up there, to our leaders, to whoever can do something to get me out of here...
"I must say, Tami, that I now understand your desire to help prisoners... You can help the prisoners of this organization, help them pass the time and live a little bit better - a little more food, a prayer book - anything you can do is something! You cannot imagine how any little thing is so significant for a person who is alone and far away...
"Continue to bring up our daughter as best you can; you can do it. I hope to see you all soon - just look back and see that a year has passed and very little has been done. Try to do more, for the good of all of us. I know it is hard, but tell someone that we must bridge over the hatred and fear via caring, love, and compassion. May G-d help us to see each other very soon. Soon it will be Yom Kippur, and I pray, with you, that G-d will bless all of us. I hope that He will help the leaders make the right decisions... Don't give up; better days will come. I am also trying not to give up, as best as I can... Love, Ron"