Bikers cross Europe for Shalit

Some 200 motorcyclists left Madrid on Friday and embarked on a journey to the Vatican City in a bid to urge the release of captives around the world, including Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The initiative is a joint effort of groups from Colombia and Spain.

Spanish residents have rallied before for the release of Shalit. A group of women residing in Spain, including Jewish, Israeli, Christian and even a Palestinian Gaza resident – decided a year ago to join forces and campaign for Gilad as part of an organization named "A Mother's Embrace."

Advocating for Shalit in Europe (Photo: Abrazo de Madre)

"The organization was founded in order to support Aviva Shalit and voice the matter of Gilad Shalit in Spain as well – a tough arena to act in," said Shoshi Israeli, an Israeli residing in Madrid and one of the group's activists. "We joined forces in order to act and speak on behalf of his mother, Aviva, and received the family's blessing," she noted, and added that they also keep contact with Shalit's father, Noam.

The group was contacted by Ervin Hoyos, a Colombian activist advocating the release of captives around the world, who himself was once kidnapped by a Colombian guerilla group. After his release Hoyos created a national radio program which connected between captives and their families.

Hoyos and party to arrive in Middle East (Photo: Abrazo de Madre)

"Hoyos decided to embark on a trip around the world for the release of captives," Israeli related. "He asked to include Gilad's picture in those to be presented to the pope," she said and noted that the Colombian activist is extremely involved in the Shalit issue.

BMW is a supporter of the campaign and donated 200 motorcycles for the journey. Banners and pictures of Gilad were placed on the vehicles.

The voyage started at Madrid and is due to cross France and Italy, finally ending up in the Rome where a meeting with the pope is expected.

"We handed out photos and banners and spoke of Gilad's case to all the press agencies. We have been doing this for a year and intend to keep at it full force," Israeli said.

She noted that following the trip to Rome, Hoyos and his friends intend to visit the Middle East in the hopes of finding Shalit safely back at home by then.