Noam Shalit at kidnapping site: People fell asleep on the job

During visit to Kerem Shalom area near Gaza, captive soldier's father says, 'I hope this saga – which State of Israel can't handle – is nearing its end'

Ilana Curiel|Published: 07.05.10 , 17:22

As part of the protest march from Mitzpe Hila to Jerusalem, Gilad Shalit's parents visited on Monday the site from which their son was kidnapped by Palestinian terrorists some four years ago.

"Apparently more than one person fell asleep on the job, and unfortunately the terrorists were able to infiltrate," the captive soldier's father Noam said near the Kerem Shalom crossing, in reference to the June 2006 cross-border raid on an IDF base near Gaza, during which his son was kidnapped and two other IDF soldiers were killed.

"I must say – if those who are part of the system would have done what was necessary in the days leading up to the kidnapping, many problems would have been spared from the State of Israel," the father said.

"I hope this journey is the beginning of the end of a saga which, regrettably, the State of Israel cannot handle," Noam Shalit added.

Shalit rally in Tel Aviv (Photo: Yaron Brener)

During the gathering at Kerem Shalom, the sister of one of the soldiers killed in the raid read from a letter addressed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "I turn to you as a bereaved sister who knows the pain of loss and the difficulties it entails. You have the power to save a life and return Gilad to his family," said Atara, the sister of Lieutenant Hanan Barak.

"I understand the risk involved in releasing terrorists, but I also understand the risk of not releasing Gilad. We need him at home. Israeli society needs to believe that the state will do whatever it can to bring its boys home," she said.

"We, the bereaved siblings, can't stand idly by and watch how another family joins the circle. We, the bereaved siblings who have given that which was dearest to us for the sake of the country's security, want to see it (the state) do everything it can for its son who is alive," she said.

"We implore you, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu – close the deal and bring Gilad home alive."

Later in the day, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra is set to hold a special concert in support of Gilad Shalit's release at the Eshkol National Park near Beersheba. Singer Shlomo Artzi is also expected to perform.

Following the concert, the Shalit family will return to Tel Aviv. The protest march is scheduled to resume Tuesday morning.