Miki Goldwasser, whose son Ehud was killed in the Hizbullah raid that started the Second Lebanon War in 2006, attacked the government Sunday for its handling of the case of Gilad Shalit, who was abducted by Hamas and its allies in a similar raid near Gaza two weeks earlier. Speaking at an event in Ramat Efal for the Kibbutz Movement's volunteers, Goldwasser questioned the government's transfer of funds to the Hamas government in Gaza through the Palestinian Authority and called for the closure of crossings into the Hamas-controlled area.
Goldwasser asked, "Do you really think the funds Israel is transferring to the Hamas regime in Gaza are allocated to the civilians there? The money is used to purchase more and more weapons that are later aimed at us." She continued, "Our government is impotent." She justified the closing of crossings into Gaza as follows: "Hamas leadership will have to have to give an account to its people and the rest of the world of the suffering it's causing because of one Israeli soldier."
Referring to the government in general, she said "You cannot set a good example of leadership. At least atone for your sins by returning Gilad." Referring to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Goldwasser said, "Don't leave office without fulfilling your obligation to Gilad." Referring to Defense Minister Ehud Barak, she said, "You have spoken about leadership. A leader does not abandon his command."
Turning to Education Minister Yuli Tamir, who was present, Goldwasser asked, "What message can you impart to the youth, as one who is responsible for passing on values? The greatest authors have joined our struggle, but we're out of words and are asking for deeds."
Tamir responded, "The government is making every effort to bring Shalit home, but Miki, I am not certain the actions you suggested would bring results. The government is willing to carry out a painful prisoner exchange agreement."
Last week Shalit's parents demanded that Israel stop funneling funds to Gaza and convene a cabinet meeting which would discuss their son's abduction. They threatened that they would petition the High Court of Justice if their request was turned down.
On Monday, friends of the abducted soldier are holding a New Year's Eve holiday meal with members of the Shalit family and other citizens, opposite the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem. The group says, "Prime Minister Olmert was, and is, the only one responsible for bringing Gilad Shalit home."