Gilad Shalit is visiting the United States to spend time with friends, family members report. The former Hamas prisoner will be attending an NBA All Star game being played in Orlando and he will most likely be meeting with a number of elected officials in Washington, DC.

It appears he wishes to thank a number of politicians that worked towards securing his release from Hamas custody, where he was held for five years. Earlier in the month, Shalit, who holds French citizenship, traveled to Paris to personally thank French President Nicolas Sarkozy for his role in securing his release.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)