Islamic Movement offers to mediate in kidnapping
Arab-Israeli organization offers to mediate between Israel, Palestinian kidnappers; soldier's grandfather asks Israelis to 'pray for miracle'
The Islamic Movement in Israel has offered to mediate between the government and Palestinian kidnappers to secure the release of an Israel Defense Forces soldier kidnapped by gunmen near the border with the Gaza Strip on Sunday morning.
MKs Ibrahim Sarsur and Abas Zkoor of the United Arab List-Ta'al faction, which is affiliated with the movement, said they would mediate talks for the release of Gilad Shalit if both Israel and the kidnappers agree.
The Islamic Movement called on the kidnappers to release Shalit, and urged Israel to act with restraint.
Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger meets grandfather of kidnapped soldier (Photo: Hagai Aharon)
United Arab List-Ta'al leader Talab El-Sana called on Palestinian groups involved in the kidnapping to keep the soldier alive and urged Israel to avoid carrying out a reprisal operation and to shelve its target assassination policy.
"We need to return to the negotiations table and solve the problems through dialogue, because only through deliberation it is possible to reach agreements and not through kidnapping and murdering innocent civilians," he said.
'We are optimistic'
With Israel choosing to give diplomacy a chance while keeping a rescue operation in the cards, the soldier's family expressed optimism about their son's fate.
"The feeling is very difficult, but we hope for the best," Tzvi Shalit, Gilad's grandfather said.
The family is anxiously awaiting news from Gaza at their home in the Galilee village of Mitzpe Hila.
Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger visited the family Sunday evening in a show of support.
"The rabbi gave us hope and said he will pray for him (Gilad). We have to be hopeful. Gilad is a dear grandson who integrated well into the brigade he served in. We are dealing with the situation. It happened to some families in Israel in the past and we believe and hope for the best all the time," the grandfather said.
Nitzan, a family friend said: "When I heard in the morning about the incident from a friend I immediately called my father who serves in the Armored Corps to ask what had happened. I hardly finished my question when he told me that Gilad is the kidnapped soldier."
"He has an entourage of friends. He is very quiet and introverted, and loves his family. We all hope he will return home soon," she said.
"I call on Palestinian religious leaders to work for the release of Gilad safely," Rabbi Metzger said. "We are the sons of Abraham our father and both religions will be judged from above for their behavior."
