For 18 days they were spokespersons, exhibiting restraint while espousing optimism, but now, during the shiva, some of the true pain is being shared.

“We did all the work others should have done” stated Mrs. Bat-Galim Shaar on Wednesday, 4 Tammuz. “We phoned parents and friends. The IDF was still not in the picture. All that time we felt precious time was being lost”.

Mr. Ofir Shaar added “We ask them to ping the cellular telephones. Their first response was that it was not that easy. I shouted, perhaps due to the feeling of helplessness. The police appeared locked into a direction. I questioned why police units were being sent to the Beit Shemesh area instead of the Hebron area. After finally pinging the phone they told me Yehuda Junction, which is near Kiryat Arba. It hit us. We realized they had been kidnapped”.

At about 06:00 on Friday morning the IDF became involved. “I told myself we are now in good and competent hands. I knew the boys would be home by Shabbos” added Bat-Galim.

The reality set in. “We decided to listen to the tape in Gilad’s room. We were full of trepidation but we did not shed a single tear. From that moment on I decided that I will go to sleep at night and get up in the morning with the knowledge that my son is a hero” added Mr. Shaar. “Not holy but simply a hero. I get goose bumps when I say it. I identified his voice [on the tape]. It was painful but together, we displayed courage. I am proud of my only son” said Ofir.

Bat-Galim concludes “All that remains are memories and a pained heart. His absence is so prominent and we miss him so. My daughters tell me they are afraid to cry as they used to cry over trivial matters. I used to tell them there is nothing to cry about but now, I want them to cry”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)