Noam Shalit: Olmert's windows are shut

Nearly a thousand people assembled outside prime minister's home to protest the captivity of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. 'I hope that even though the windows to Olmert's house are closed, he will hear your cries,' says Noam Shalit
Ronen Medzini

Some one thousand people took part in a protest for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit outside Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's home in Jerusalem on Thursday evening.

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Gilad's father, Noam Shalit, delivered the keynote speech at the event. "The response here is living and tangible proof that many in Israel demand that Gilad, who was kidnapped at the start of this government's term, will be freed before that term ends," he said.

"I hope that even though the windows to Olmert's house are closed, the prime minister will still hear your cries through them," he continued, thanking all who came. Among those who participated in the rally where student organizations, Kibbutz Movement representatives and members of 'Sisters for Shalit,' who maintain a protest booth opposite Olmert's house every day.

Despite the election fever that is preoccupying politicians and the stagnation in the negotiations with Hamas for Gilad's release, the Shalit family is pressing on insistently with rallies and protests. On Wednesday Aviva Shalit joined other mothers at the IDF's recruit center.

"We're here to remind the IDF's commanders, the chief of staff, the defense minister and the Israeli government, that there is one soldier you sent on a mission two and a half years ago that is still missing. You have failed to free him and us from this unending nightmare, which has been going on for nearly 900 days now, and with no end in sight," Gilad's mother said.

The day before that Noam spoke at a Sderot conference, accusing Olmert of failing to bring his son home.

Who would have believed that Israel, with all it has at its disposal, is incapable of freeing an IDF soldier kidnapped to Gaza for nearly three years now," he said.

Addressing Olmert personally he said, "You didn't do it – I guess you failed. I ask you to do what you haven't done for the past two and a half years, to stop hesitating and make a decision that negates that of the advisors and generals who whisper in your ear; don't leave this issue for your successor."

Gilad Shalit has been held captive in Gaza for 886 days.