The price of releasing terrorists was paid for Israeli citizens who weren’t terror victims, yet there was no public protest.
Gilad Shalit’s family is joining a major protest that began Saturday night in Jerusalem, demanding that the government do "anything and everything" to free the kidnapped IDF soldier, who has spent 987 days in captivity.
Groups demanding Shalit's release have set up a protest tent outside the Prime Minister's residence, and mass protests began Sunday morning, with protesters hoping that their last-minute pressure would push outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to release hundreds of terrorists in exchange for Shalit, as demanded by Hamas.
In addition, groups fighting for Gilad’s release are broadcasting a mass advertising campaign in television, newspapers and billboards, with the headline “Help” in Gilad’s own handwriting, taken from a letter that the soldier sent while in captivity.
“We are on the way to Jerusalem…to free Gilad Shalit while Prime Minister Olmert is still in office to save Gilad Shalit before it’s too late,” Noam Shalit, Gilad’s father told Voice of Israel government radio, who stated that his family plans to remain indefinitely camped opposite the Prime Minister's home.
Shas leader Eli Yishai said Sunday morning before the weekly cabinet meeting that Shalit will most likely not be freed during the remaining term of the current government. He emphasized that the government had gone to great lengths to free the hostage soldier, but had not succeeded.
“It’s not that the Olmert government didn’t make an effort, but it seems that the next government will have to free [Shalit],” Yishai said. “The fact that Gilad’s not here means we didn’t do enough, however. Israel is willing to pay a heavy price to bring Shalit home,” he added, according to Yediot Acharonot.
A counter-protest is also taking place opposite the Prime Minister's Office, by families with members who have been killed in terror attacks. The families demand that the government continue to refuse to release the terrorists, most of whom are expected to go right back to conducting terror attacks against Israel at their first opportunity. Three family members – Yossi Tsur, Yossi Mendelovich, and Varon Karman – are exhibiting pictures of 180 Israelis who were killed by terrorists who were freed by Israel in the past.
“I have nothing against the family of Gilad Shalit, but they have to think about what will benefit all of the Jewish People, including my children,” Yossi Tzur stated.
Several days ago, Prime Minister Olmert asked whether the protests for Shalit's release would actually help efforts to secure his release in wake of Hamas' demands for his release for prisoners "with blood on their hands."
Heavy Price Paid Before
Shalit’s grandfather, Tzvi Shalit, told Voice of Israel government radio that he wants to leave the final decision regarding his grandson’s release to Prime Minister Olmert, and told those opposed to his grandson's release to keep quiet. In addition, he doesn’t understand the opposition to his grandson’s release. “The price of releasing terrorists was paid for Israeli citizens who weren’t terror victims yet there was no public protest,” he said, referring to businessman Elchanan Tannenbaum, who was kidnapped by Hizbullah terrorists in Dubai in 2001 while attempting to secure a $200,000 drug deal with the organization.
Israel agreed to release over 400 Arab terrorists in exchange for Tannenbaum and three bodies of Israeli soldiers. Intensifying the controversy was the fact that among the terrorists to be released were two senior ones who had been long held as "ransom" for the release of downed Israel Air Force navigator Ron Arad.
The first time that the family members decided to act against the government’s position was when they submitted a petition to the High Court in wake of the first ceasefire agreement signed with the Hamas terrorist organization. The agreement did not include any mention of Shalit’s release. The High Court subsequently rejected the petition.
Since the High Court’s dismissal of the petition, the family has acted for the last two years for their son’s release via various worldwide organizations. A year ago, they enlisted the help of two French lawyers who initially announced that they would go to Gaza to speak with Hamas officials regarding the soldier, who holds French citizenship. However, the lawyers are presently not involved in the case.
In addition, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, has been active in promoting his countryman’s release. Just a week ago, at the Gaza Aid conference in Cairo, Sarkozy demanded Shalit’s release. “The release of Gilad Shalit for the exchange of Palestinians is a high priority,” Sarkozy demanded before the conference participants.
Gilad’s comrades have already finished their mandatory army service in Unit 71 of the IDF armored division, the same unit as Gilad’s, several months ago. They have subsequently enlisted in the fight for Gilad’s release and have, among other efforts, met with Defense Minister Ehud Barak.