In a meeting in Knesset on Monday with Mr. Noam Shalit, Interior Minister Eli Yishai told him that he is willing to go into Gaza to negotiate on behalf of his son Gilad’s release.

Noam Shalit on Monday met with senior officials in Knesset, beginning with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who told the captive soldier’s father that the issue of his son’s release remains high on his agenda, adding that in upcoming meetings with European leaders, he will raise the issue as well. Netanyahu added he feels personally responsible to bring Gilad home, adding it is a primary responsibility of his government.

Yishai has met with Mr. Shalit in the past, telling him that the matter of his son’s prolonged captivity is very painful, informing him that he and others continue to daven for his release.

“Most of us are parents” explained Noam, adding “some of the children or grandchildren serve in the IDF but no one can imagine what it is like for a 19-year-old to suddenly fall into captivity, without preparation, less than a year following his induction”.

Yishai explained that from his perspective, for as long as Gilad is not home, “we have not done enough” and he explained he is willing to enter Gaza and negotiate with Hamas towards achieving this goal.

Following the meeting with Yishai, Mr. Shalit met with Yahadut HaTorah MKs, telling them that he is aware they know he recently met with Maran Rav Elyashiv Shlita. MK Maklev pointed out the initials of his name, Shin, Lamed, Yud and Tet are equivalent to “live a good life” (Shyechye L’Orech Yomim Tovim).

MK Moses told him that his grandson and thousands of chareidim give tzedaka daily on behalf of Gilad, stating his name and that of his mother Aviva.

Deputy Minister Porush spoke of the world’s silence in the face of Hamas’ total disregard for international law and basic laws of humanity, to which Mr. Shalit pointed out the international community is pressuring Israel to lift the Gaza embargo but it does not tie it to Gilad’s release.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)