Minutes prior to testifying before the United Nations commission probing Israel's offensive in
the Gaza Strip, Noam Shalit, father of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit,
told Ynet that even though the State was not actively participating in the inquest, his decision to testify
has been unofficially backed.
"I stand here as a private citizen, as Gilad's father. I decided to testify before this commission freely, and I expect no support or guidance from the State on this matter," he told Ynet on Monday.
Shalit said he would demand that the commission recognize his son's kidnapping as a war crime and as a blatant violation of international treaties
The captive soldier's father told Ynet he had no idea whether or not his testimony would have any bearings on the investigation, nor if it would be used to pressure Hamas to
free his son, who has been held by the Islamist group for three years now.
"I'm firing in all directions and I hope every little bit of pressure helps," he said.
Also going before the UN committee, were Ashkelon Mayor Benny Vaknin, a local physician who was injured by Grad rocket fire on the southern city, lecturers from the Sapir College and several representatives of the Sderot Information Center.
Shalit told Ynet that several representatives on the UN Watch Agency were also in attendance as monitors, aiming to ensure the UN commission was objective in its proceedings.
Gilad Shalit is believed to have been kept in complete isolation since his abduction in June of 2006. Red Cross representatives have not been
allowed to meet him, and the only communication with him thus far was in the form of two letters and an audio tape, sent to his parents.
Dr. Ronny Berger, director of community services for Natal – the Israel Trauma Centers fro Victims of Terror and War, is also scheduled to go before the UN body, via video conference.
A clinical psychologist, he has treated many of Israel's rocket ridden cities' residents. "I see this as a mission. Someone should illustrate the suffering of these people, who have been suffering (rocket fire) for eight years," he said.
Dr. Berger headed a Natal study that found that many of the residents of Sderot – and especially the city's children – suffer form post traumatic stress. Berger was puzzled by the government's official decision not to cooperate with the commission.
"I supposed that some considerations are beyond me, but someone has to represent these people," he said.
As for the Palestinians' suffering, Berger added that "there is no doubt that the force exerted against innocent Palestinians is not a legitimate one. If it yields censure than so be it, because Palestinian children suffer as well."
The inquest team, headed by Richard Goldstone, is scheduled to submit its report next month.
Daniel Edelson contributed to this report
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