_a.jpg "צילום: ירון ברנר")
Shalit protest in Tel Aviv
Photo: Yaron Brener
Tel Aviv: Teenagers call for Shalit's release
Protestors march through city streets, urge government to secure abducted soldier's release
About 150 protestors, most of them teenagers, marched through the streets of Tel Aviv Monday night while urging the Netanyahu government to secure the release of Gilad Shalit.
The demonstrators carried torches and signs reading: "It's a great, great shame that spring is here and Gilad has not yet returned."
The protestors, who marched to Likud headquarters on King George Street, urged revelers at coffee shops and shoppers at stores on the route of the march to join them.
Gilad Shalit's cousin, Eyal Raz, told Ynet: "The holiday of freedom is here once again yet Gilad isn't here. It's disturbing. The protest in Jerusalem that ended with nothing did not take the wind out of our sails, but rather, strengthened the family."
Raz said Shalit's family members met very favorable responses. "We saw that the entire nation of Israel supports the goal. We met amazing people and heard exceptional stories."
Meanwhile, Shalit's uncle Betsalel Raz expressed his regret over former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's failure to free Gilad.
"The most difficult feeling is that today we're starting everything anew," he said. "The protest, the battle for public opinion, and the pleas to the government…this is the hardest feeling at this time."
Another member of the Shalit campaign, Hadar Miller, spent every evening in the last months in silent protest at Tel Aviv's Rabin Square.
"Today we shall be leaving the square, and we won't be back here," she told Ynet. "The time has come to change our approach. We were debating whether to march to the defense minister's home, but we reached the conclusion that a clear message needs to be conveyed to the Netanyahu government, where Likud comprises a major element."
"This government has no grace period," Miller said. "Free Gilad Shalit, and free this nation from this agenda."
