Peres to Shalits: Take 'time off' during holidays

President hosts parents of kidnapped soldier at his Jerusalem residence, suggests they 'rest, gather new strength.' Noam Shalit declines, says 'we can't take a break – just as Gilad can't take a break from captivity'

Ahiya Raved|Published: 09.01.10 , 19:08

President Shimon Peres on Wednesday hosted the parents of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, Noam and Aviva, at the President's Residence in Jerusalem.

After the visit, Noam Shalit said Peres had expressed his appreciation for the family's continuous struggle to release Gilad – but asked him to take some "time off" until the Jewish New Year.

"The president received us warmheartedly and expressed his appreciation of our heroic struggle, our determination and durability," Shalit told Ynet.

"The president has asked us to halt our struggle until Rosh Hashana, in order to rest and gather strength," he added.

Shalits at president's residence (Photo: Amos Ben Gershom, GPO)

Shalit declined the president's offer, and said that regretfully they are unable to stop the campaign, even during the holidays: "We haven't reached a point where we can allow ourselves to take a break – just as Gilad can't take a break from captivity.

"We asked the president to put the utmost pressure on decision makers in order to end this miserable affair – that has caused tremendous damage to society time and again. The State is simply unable to retrieve a captured soldier," Shalit said.

During their meeting, Shalit said he presented Peres with possible ways of actions to retrieve his son, which the president said he would consider.

Peres with Shalits, on Wednesday (Photo: Amos Ben Gershom, GPO)

However, when asked if Peres was helping in the efforts to retrieve Gilad, Shalit said, "Unfortunately, we can only go by results, and right now we can't say anyone has acted seriously to promote the issue."

In their meeting, the president told the Shalits, "Hamas is a tough opponent, but we mustn't lose hope, and will continue to struggle for the return of Gilad."

Peres also told the Shalits he would ask Pope Benedict XVI to actively help bring Gilad home during their upcoming meeting in Italy on Thursday, and noted he has asked other world leaders to do the same.

Also on Wednesday, members of the "civic recruitment center for Gilad Shalit" sent a letter to the future chief of staff and current head of IDF's Southern Command Yoav Galant, in which they reminded him of comment he made immediately after Gilad's kidnapping, saying he would do anything to bring him home.

"Four years and no one dares talk about the failures that led to the kidnapping, and the failures that followed. Four years, and one living soldier is missing from the IDF manpower quota. You promised you would do anything possible. Have you?" wrote the activists.