Noam Shalit says got no news from PM

The meeting was held at the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem shortly after the Netanyahu couple landed in Israel following an official visit to the United States.

Noam Shalit told reporters following the meeting, "At the moment we have not received any calming news which could make a change. We shall remain at the protest tent and wait until Gilad returns."

He added that the meeting was not dramatic, saying he could not elaborate on all issues discussed. "The prime minister told us about his discussions of issues on the agenda with the US president," he said.

According to Shalit, Netanyahu told him he had received updates on the family's march to Jerusalem during his stay in the US and "discussed the matter with the highest-ranking officials in Washington."

Aviva and Noam Shalit with Sara and Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: Avi Ohayon, GPO)

Netanyahu told the Shalit couple, "The tens of thousands of people who marched with you are not the only ones who support you. You are supported by all of the residents of the State of Israel and millions across the world, including my wife and I who are sitting here with you."

At around 5 pm, one of the prime minister's advisors approached the captive's parents and invited them to enter the residence. As the couple walked into the house, some of their supporters chanted, "Bibi, you promised; Bibi, keep your promise."

The Netanyahu couple greeted their guests at the entrance, embraced them and invited them into their living room. The Shalits told the prime minister and his wife about their hopes for a move which would secure their son's release. Netanyahu briefed them on his meetings in the US with President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton.

Empty chair for Gilad

On Friday evening, some of the young activists of the Gilad Shalit campaign left an empty chair for the captive soldier as they dined on the large amounts of food brought by citizens who visited the protest tent.

"It was a simple and modest meal. After all, it's not easy being here. It was sad," activist Ariela Rosen told Ynet. "It was spontaneous and visitors kept on coming. At a certain point, a large crowd arrived from the nearby synagogue after the prayer. People come and go throughout the day."

Former Minister Yossi Sarid visited the protest tent with his wife, as did former hostage Yossi Grof, who was released in the Jibril prisonser exchange deal in 1985. Other visitors included actress Gila Almagor, Knesset Member Dalia Itzik (Kadima) and former Northern Command chief Udi Adam.

The Shalit family is expected to return to the tent on Saturday, after spending the night in a nearby apartment.

Protest tent. Parents say will remain until son released (Photo: Noam Moskowitz)

On Thursday evening, the Shalit family completed its 12-day journey to Jerusalem from its northern community of Mitzpe Hila and returned to the protest tent set up outside the prime minister's residence.

On Friday, the number of days Gilad Shalit has been held in Hamas captivity stood at 1,475. The soldier's relatives have vowed not to leave the site without him, but are not overly optimistic.

Asked if he felt a sense of déjà vu ahead of his meeting with the prime minister, Noam Shalit replied, "Something like that, it's not exactly the same thing, but a similar feeling."

Asked if he expects ministers and public figures to pay a visit to the protest tent this time, he said, "I don't need symbols and convoys, I just needs acts that yield results. Action has been taken in the past, but without results."

He said his family planned to stay in Jerusalem a long time. "I think the public's support and march behind us speaks for itself, this is not something routine. I believe such a civilian protest sets a precedent. There have been protests that lasted two or three days in the past, but here, for 12 days straight, we witnessed a determined demonstration that did not die down even for a minute. Here we are static, and we will see how things go."

Roni Sofer contributed to this report

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