Noam Shalit at protest tent
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Shalit activists mark one year since setting up protest tent
'Netanyahu solely responsible for Gilad's return. We won't budge until he does,' activist says. Captive soldier's father: A lot of talk, no deal
Activists campaigning for the release of Gilad Shalit on Monday marked one year since they set up a protest tent outside the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem.
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"We were certain that the issue would be resolved by now, but we're still here," said Yael Barkai, who set up the tent along with her sister Ruth 812 days after the IDF soldier was kidnapped into Gaza by Palestinian terrorists.
Noam Shalit, the soldier's father, said during his visit to the tent Monday that he is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday. "We receive constant updates. There is a lot of talk, but no (prisoner exchange) deal yet," he said, "I believe Gilad will come home."
Asked about the public campaign calling on the government to work towards releasing his son, even in exchange for the release of hundreds of imprisoned Palestinian terrorists, as demanded by Hamas, Shalit said, "The activists are always here for us. The one constant element of our campaign is this tent, which reminds the PM of Gilad. It will be dismantled only when he returns."
Barakai told Ynet, "The PM is solely responsible for Gilad's return. We won't budge until he does."
