Near the place where he was abducted over two years ago, a major rally on behalf of Gilad Shalit will take place today, Sunday. Last week, organizers of the event rejected a statement by Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai, who stated such actions compromise government efforts to obtain the release of the soldier.
Today’s event is also supported by the Kibbutz Movement and the Eshkol Regional Council. The location of the event was moved 100 meters south to take it out of sight of Hamas terrorists in Gaza, near the border where he was taken captive during a terror attack in June 2006.
In actuality, the day’s events began a short time ago, at 7:00AM, with a protest over the opening of Gaza crossings and permitting goods into Gaza while the IDF soldier remains hostage.
At 1:00PM, a vehicular convoy will leave Sa’ad Junction, heading towards Kerem Shalom. 70 pilots, including IDF officers, will participate, flying ultra-light planes to show their support under the banner “Gilad is Still Alive”.
The rally will get underway at 3:00PM, under heavy police and army security. Among the notables attending will be Gilad’s parents, former Shin Bet director, Ami Ayalon, MK Orit Noked. Rami Doron [the representative of the MIAs and POWs], members of his army unit and a former Tank Corps soldier who was captured in the Yom Kippur War.
The area IDF battalion commander suggested a large sukka be erected between the site of the rally and the Gaza border as a sign of hope for Gilad’s return. (Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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One Response
Given Israel’s unwillingness to take innocent hostages or to retaliate (e.g. execute) prisoners even those guilty of killing civilians, Vilnai’s comments are probably correct. If on the other hand Israel was to retaliate, it would be a different matter, but effective retaliation would alienate western, and especially American support for Israel, and on the brink of an Obama presidency Israel is unwise to alienate the USA.