Shalit campaign protests Coalition retreat
Small rally gathers outside Safed hotel where ministers are staying on organized getaway. 'They're celebrating by the pool while Gilad's rotting away,' protester scolds
Some 15 supporters of the Shalit campaign rallied outside a Safed hotel Saturday, where Coalition members are staying on an organized retreat.
The protesters demanded the government finalize the prisoner exchange deal and secure that Hamas-held soldier's return.
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"We got a lot of support from Safed's residents," Eitan Weinrich, one of the protesters, told Ynet. "There may not have been many of us but we have vowed to be everywhere our leaders are. We won't let them forget Gilad."
Protesters try to catch leaders' attention (Photo: Avihu Shapira)
But Weinrich said the parliamentarians had paid no attention to the protest, calling them "dense".
"Unfortunately the ministers and MKs have forgotten that they are emissaries of the people. They have become their own emissaries," he added. "Gilad is still in captivity and the best of our sons and daughters who will soon enlist are asking themselves whether this leadership will know how to protect them."
Boaz Azulay, one of the protest organizers, told Ynet that the ministers were "celebrating by the pool while Gilad is rotting away in captivity. It's sad that Noan Shalit has to ask (French President) Nicolas Sarkozy to act, because the prime minister and the defense minister are not doing enough.
"We've had enough of hearing that it is best 'not to speak of some move.' We need action."
The protester stood across from the hotel plaza, which was guarded by security personnel.
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