Many many visitors made their way to the Shalit family vigil solidarity tent outside the Prime Minister’s Residence in Yerushalayim on Shabbos. “Gilad is still alive” many supporters shouted in the direction of the prime minister’s home, as the family sat at the finely set Shabbos table, with the obviously vacant seat that echoed a deafening silence as a photo of the captive soldier stared overhead.

Mr. Noam Shalit, Gilad’s father, thanked the many who took the time to visit and show support, telling the media it is clear that most of Am Yisrael supports a deal to bring Gilad home. He made his statement with an awareness of the painful conflict that surrounds rumors of an imminent deal that will result in the release of hundreds of terrorists who may in the future strike out at innocent Israelis again. 

If the prime minister’s envoys, Ofir Dekel and Yuval Diskin, return from Egypt on Sunday night with word of an agreement, the cabinet in all likelihood will convene in special session on Monday to vote on the proposed prisoner exchange deal.

In another Shalit matter, R’ Menachem Porush was among the visitors to the tent on Thursday.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)