Some 1,500 people took part in a solidarity rally for the kidnapped Israeli soldiers at Mitzpe Hila, the home of Corporal Gilad Shalit.
Dozens of kites built by children and youths were flown in the air at the start of the rally.
Noam Shalit, Gilad's father, met with IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi for the first time before the rally.
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"How is this Pesach different from the previous ones?" he asked during the rally. "This Pesach Udi, Eldad and Gilad, who were sent to defend the borders, are not free men but imprisoned, after being kidnapped from the State of Israel's sovereign territory due to failures of the different systems, of those who did not succeed in drawing the lessons of the past, which were sharp and written in big, bright letters on the wall.
"We will not celebrate like all the people of Israel, but will gather together and leave our door open, waiting for a miracle that perhaps Gilad will suddenly walk into the house."
Shalit also conveyed a message to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
and the other Israeli leaders.
"I hope that those responsible for releasing the sons will sit around the table with their children and grandchildren, and between the first, second, third and fourth glass will remember that there are three IDF soldiers who are still not free," he said.
"I call on the prime minister, who promised more than once to do everything in order to release the sons, to take responsibility and pay off his debt to IDF fighters who left to defend the state's borders and bring about their quick release.
"Remember Ron Arad and his family and learn this lesson. It's not a shame to learn from the mistakes of the past; it's a leader's duty," Shalit added.
Karnit, Ehud Goldwasser's wife, said during the rally, "This Passover Udi is not home against his will, after being taken away. Time is passing and we are filled with yearning. We want to touch and feel, and to know that they are okay and are being taken care of. Another rally and another event, another holiday, and they are not home.
"From here, on Friday afternoon, everyone goes home. I also go home, but my home is empty. I am returning to four walls with a lot of memories, missing love and intimacy.
"I call from here on all the Lebanese families who have fathers and sons jailed in Israel to call on their leaders to bring the sons home. I am certain that if both sides, mothers and women in Lebanon
and mothers and women in Israel, would pressure their governments together, the boys will return home fast."
Ehud Goldwasser's father, Shlomo, turned to Hizbullah
leader Hassan Nasrallah
and said, "I call on Nasrallah to hold serious negotiations on the release of our boys and your hostages."
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