At the end of a nerve-wracking day and after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's televised
address to the nation, explaining the failure of
the negotiations meant to secure the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit,
his family – camped outside Olmert Jerusalem home – shut itself inside the protest tent.
The Shalit's media advisors barred the media from the area, asking reporters to respect their wish for privacy at this time. Family members and those active in the public campaign for the captive soldier's release, were quoted as saying that Olmert's address was "disappointing," and that Israel's attempt
to pressure Hamas at
this stage was "a late awakening."
| Resolve |
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| Olmert: This is our final offer to Hamas / Roni Sofer |
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After meeting with Shalit family, Olmert gives special address to nation to explain failure of talks aimed at releasing abducted soldier: 'Israel's government, as long as it is headed by me, will not agree to Hamas' dictations,' he says |
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The family, along with members of the public campaign, is said to decide whether to continue camping outside the premier's residence on Wednesday.
Noam Shalit, who met with
Olmert prior to the latter's speech, called on the prime minister and his emissaries to "stop making statements and start applying themselves in the days they have left (in office), in order to get Gilad back and finish this affair."
Shalit added that "the government must exert more pressure and exhaust all means possible to force Hamas to strike this deal."
Many continued to flock to the Shalit's protest tent in Jerusalem Tuesday evening, to show their support for the family. Given the unfortunate circumstances, some were heard saying they may not be there tomorrow.
Ronen Medzini contributed to this report
_a.jpg "Photo: Orly Zeiler")
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