because of the Pavlovian response Israel has given terrorists? Kidnap a soldier and you get many many more people in return. Why don't the Shalits put the blame were it squarely belongs - on Israel's enemies!

Very commendable task, indeed, not to let the world forget him. But what about Jonathan Pollard, a Jew held captive by the US "Justice" system for a rather minor crime of passing on vital information to Israel? People convicted of actual spying against the US, of deliberate intent to hurt the US, have been dismissed with hardly any penalty. But the Jew Pollard languishes in jail. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3534895,00.html What about him, Anat Gov? Doesn't he deserve at least as much love and dedication as Shalit?

I have not seen Schalit "supporters" march/protest/blabber about freeing him during the 2006 and 2009 wars. Why not? Its like these people want to weaken Israel's position neto. These slogans found in the Schalit camps such as not serving till he is free or his captivity is more dangerous than Iran is aimed at weakening Israeli resolve. The fact remains that our fetish for peace led Israel to do nothing as Hamas/PLO shot daily rocket attacks against Israel in the MONTHS leading up to the kidnapping. And even this kidnapping was nothing new. Just months before Schalit's kidnapping another attempt (using the same tactics) took place and Israel (along with the soon to be born Schalit camp and its members like Varda and others) opposed retaliation or self defense measures. Then a solider was kidnapped... all while kids were being bombed in Sderot. And Israel was forced to "do" something. And this "do" thing was done half hearted. The "second Lebanon war" broke out at the outset of the Schalit kidnapping. And we stopped the war before we got him back. Then we fought anther war in 2009 and again the Israeli government and the Schalit people refused to support the IDF is turning Gaza upside down in order to find him. I see a pattern and the pattern is more dangerous than Iran. It is the leftist demise of Israeli spirit. Schalit is a soldier. Soldiers are there to keep us safe. Not civilians endangering themselves to keep soldiers safe.

Who is paying for the Schalit campaign

The Lord reminds me daily to pray for Gilad. I sincerely believe he will return safe and well to his family

acts like obumma, cowardly to say the least, inhumanely to say the truth.

I would like to believe that the current cut with Hamas would loosen their power and make them realize they can no longer use Gilad Shalit as a bargaining chip. But then I would fear for his life. I am hoping against all hope that maybe the government has a safety net and knows what it is doing. But it's been too many years, and frankly, I have no confidence in these strong, major powers. What have they done?

The alternative is worse. If Israeli guberment were to buy him back at all costs, they would be begging for additional kidnappings. The way things are, Gilad is worthless to terrorists, so other kids are less likely to be kidnapped. It is damned if you do damned if you don't thing, but imho Nataniahu is doing the right thing.

A government / people who does not care for Pollard will not care for Shalit .

This article is a less than subtle piece of propagandist garbage. Who amongst us does not ache for the Shalit's? I am sure that the Israeli govt. has done and will continue to do everything within reason to secure Gilad's release. However in a nation where the tragedy of missing, wounded, and killed soldiers has touched so many is it right to advocate violating the future security of the state for one soldier? The answer is an unfortunate yet resounding "NO". So Anat, if you believe that the govt. is so remiss in their efforts why do you not offer yourself in trade to Hamas for Gilad's release? I suspect they have little use for someone who will not be missed, but give it a try anyway.

Of course I hope and pray for Gilad to come home. As the father of a soldier the same age as Gilad, I know that " there, but for the grace of...." But as for breaking the bonds of trust with IDF soldiers, well that is more complicated. What about the elite IDF soldiers who risk their lives to capture Palestinian terrorists? Might they not wonder why they should risk their necks if the government returns them wholesale? I see that as a greater breach of trust, and a greater danger. Let the government declare its new program: " Gilad for Marwan, up front, with Jonathan thrown in as a 'confidence-building' measure, with the rest of the Palestinian prisoners to be released upon the signing of a comprehensive peace treaty with the Palestinians (based on Camp David 2000), and followed by the Saudi Initiative promise of acceptance by all Arab states. Everybody wins. Everybody saves face. Simple, no?

The IDF has never abandoned its troops,but we are living in a new world and there is a price which is too high and too far that is being demanded. Those that hold him know that he is an invaluable asset and at the same time a heavy liability that with every day dilutes their cause. Schallit must wait,how long nobody knows,but everybody with a modicum of sense will know that he is the priority of this government,this army and the israeli people

or gaza gets flattened.

and you will find that the deal to release Shalit was done until Iran told Hamas in Syria to take the deal off the table. Everyone knows this but the left, just like Hamas needs, this to go on to get as much milage as possible. Disgusting!!