Wearing white for Gilad Shalit

A solidarity rally for captive soldier Gilad Shalit was held at the College of Management campus in Rishon Lezion on Tuesday. The rally was organized by the student union, in cooperation with the college's administration.

The soldier's father, Noam Shalit spoke at the event, saying, "Gilad's cry is echoing over 1,400 long days and nights to those who sent him on a mission and will not answer. It is saying: Release me from this nightmare. It is time to give me back my freedom," Shalit told those gathered at the college.

The students and other participants in the rally wore white shirts, as part of an initiative titled: "Day in white".

The initiative was launched by private citizen Ilan Spector, of Beersheba, who waits on tables for a living.

Of the initiative, the soldier's father said, "The solidarity that began with one man's keyboard in Beersheba is sweeping the country".

Shalit added, "I am sure Gilad would have been moved to see this vast crowd gathered here today and in many other locations across the country. He also would have been embarrassed to witness this massive support and solidarity which is sweeping the whole country."

Ze'ev Neumann, President of the College of Management said, "The whole process of selecting prisoners, with or without blood on their hands, is baseless. What does it matter? Our enemies have enough Shahids. The State must defend its soldiers at any cost."

Spector told Ynet the public was very responsive to the project, and that some 400,000 people joined the project's group on the social network, Facebook.

"I know that members of large companies such as Isracard will get organized and wear white, as will many educational institutions, including Ben Gurion University and other bodies. The message is clear: We all remember Gilad and want to see him home, and urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end this affair swiftly."

On Monday, student union president Yehonatan Kedem said ahead of the rally, " We are not taking a political side. We are just protesting, and noting that we have a friend who has fallen and we must not forget him. Every day that goes by is an eternity for Gilad. We must bring him back – and fast."