Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat on Thursday announced the lights of the Old City walls will be turned off during the evening hours as part of the Gilad Shalit campaign, to signify the darkness of his captivity as the nation marks his fourth anniversary in Hamas custody Friday, June 25th.

In place of the regular illumination, the Gilad Clock will be shown on the walls of the Old City, marking the years, months, weeks, hours and seconds of his captivity.

Mr. Shalit took part in a City Hall Ceremony on Wednesday during which Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno announced Gilad is granted honorary citizenship. A large photo of the captive soldier was displayed along with the caption “we want our citizen Gilad released”.

In Italy, the lights will also be turned off in the Rome Coliseum and Gilad’s picture will be displayed. Members of Chicago’s Jewish community will stand at attention in solidarity with Gilad as well on Thursday night, as will many other supporters and sympathizers around the world.

In a related matter, a bereaved parent’s organization called on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to have Gilad’s picture placed on shipments heading into Gaza with the message “save me” or similar messages when humanitarian aid is permitted into the Hamas-controlled area.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)