Gilad Shalit
צילום: נועם רותם
Noam Shalit: Olmert responsible for resolving affair
Kidnapped soldier's parents among hundreds expected to attend London rally calling for their son's release. 'Although Tzipi Livni was elected Kadima chairwoman, Olmert is not off the hook,' says father
LONDON – Hundreds of people were expected to take part Sunday in a rally in the British capital calling for the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. Gilad's parents, Aviva and Noam, were set to attend the event.
Noam Shalit told Ynet on Sunday that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who announced that he would resign from office, was still responsible for his son's abduction.
"As far as I am concerned, Olmert is not off the hook it terms of resolving this affair. Tzipi Livni was elected Kadima chairwoman, but I am not engaging in political speculations. The person responsible for this affair, as I see it, is Ehud Olmert."
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was one of the personalities who signed a Rosh Hashana greeting card dedicated to the kidnapped soldier.
Noam Shalit said ahead of the rally, "I want the British government to say that it is not acceptable for him to be held like this. Gilad is being held in complete isolation for more than two years without any humanitarian help, and I want Amnesty International to press his case. All I want is just to bring back Gilad."
Addressing the negotiations for his son's release, Shalit said, "The Egyptian mediation is the only channel which exists at the moment. It's not my duty to look for mediation channels; it's the Israeli government's duty. The Israeli government must find more efficient mediation channels.
The event will start at Green Park tube station with a short march through central London, leading to the main event in the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenu. The main speakers at the event will include Noam Shalit, Israeli Ambassador to the UK Ron Prosor, and other prominent guests and artists.
Each participant will receive a white T-shirt with Gilad's picture. The march will also be attended by youth movement members, school children and members of the Jewish community, as well as members of the Israel-supportive Christian community.
The participants will hold signs reading "819 days and we're still waiting" and "We miss you," as well as signs with the kidnapped soldier's picture.
