we give the terrorists in our prisons whole chickens to eat. Not to mention free education and visits by family and the dead cross.

This is a dream come true for the Shalits and all the Jewish people! Sooooooo happy to see him recuperating.

Thank God that Hamas did not kill him. Welcome home, Shalit. But the treatment provided to Shalit by hamas was brutal and typical of evil people. This treatment represents the profile of the so-called palestinians who want to be recognized at the UN. The so-called palestinians should be ashamed of the treatment that hamas given to Shalit.

Thanking G-d for his survival is not a priority.

Never once, did Noam Shalit publicly thank Hashem for his son's release. Instead of making the "Gomel" prayer on Shabbat - which would have been an admirable sanctification of Hashem's name - he drives to the beach. What disgusting ingratitude.

Rebecca, yours is not to judge after what he and his family have suffered. But you should certainly give thanks to G-d on Gilad's behalf if you are moved to do so. That would be the menschlich thing to do.

Let him enjoy his freedom without camera lens in his face.

really, Rebecca... the guy was held captive for nearly 5 1/2 years... let him live. Let him see what he missed, and live his life. And you don't know what he is doing. You don't know if he prayed at home, or if his family and the world prayed for him. Calm yourself. The man served, and nearly lost his life for us Jews He more than paid his dues, its time for him to live

Rebecca, many Israeli Jews (some would even claim a majority of us) are not synagogue goers. That does not make us less Jewish than you. As to thanking God, how can you determine what anyone else believes in their heart? If you want to thank God for Gilad's survival, you are free to do so - but please allow him to act according to his beliefs and desires without passing judgement on hm.

Your comment is very much out of line. Not everyone needs to be in Shul to thank G-d. After 5 years I'm sure being with family takes priority, but nice that you judge.

to hear from or speak to his people. You presume too much and are arrogant in the name of G-d. Wonder what he thinks about that?

Imagine spending more than 5 years in some basement without sunshine or good food? Imagine not seeing your loved ones for more than 5 years? Imagine not knowing if you would ever go home or if instead you would be tortured and executed? To survive all of this and still be sane and to never once denounce his country makes Gilad Shallit a true Israeli hero

frail, pale and malnourished? GIMME A BREAK! HE WAS SLIM FROM THE MOMENT HAMAS MILITANTS PUT THEIR HANDS ON HIM. WHAT DID YOU EXPECT HAMAS TO DO? TAKE HIM ON HIKES OR MAYBE TO THE BEACH? GET HIM OUT TO BREATH SOME FRESH AIR? TRUST ME, IN GAZA THERE IS NOTHING TO BREATH BUT SEWERAGE SMELL .

. . . and give him a chance to try to regain some semblance of a normal life.

....is also borne out in treatment of prisoners. Look at Gilad, frail and pale (Y'sher Koach that he IS getting stronger) and then look at the fat, ruddy bright-eyed killers who got off the buses in Gaza after their trip from Israeli captivity. Ought to make people like Marzouk and Meshaal examine their hearts (if they have one)..

Oh yes? tell us if the new mall in Gaza is near the smelly sewage? is the new hotel in Gaza near the smelly sewage? is the new country club in Gaza near the smelly sewage? Dont expect us to believe your lies.

So Gilad Shalit is the Michael Jackson of Israel now? Wherever he goes he will be followed by paparazis?

It doesn't bother me that Gilad and his father went to the beach on Shabat. Quite the opposite. These pictures of a family reunited after years of torment bring tears of joy to my heart. Gilad's reunion with his family and country symbolizes everything I love about Israel. As for synagogue. I and many North Americans were there this Shabat thanking G-d for this miracle. I am overjoyed for the Shalits and especially for Gilad. May he be blessed with a long, healthy and peaceful life.

Sorry Rebecca but you really have no right to judge Gilad. Its none of your business if he thanked G*d in synagogue or in his home. The media should all leave Gilad alone now & let him get on with his life.

And now lets just leave him alone to return to life - he will speak to us when he's ready, all this harassment by the press isn't helpful.

Kudos to you Esther. Your post is straight from the heart.

can someone please explain me where gilads sister hadass is ??i understand she didnt want to be in the media all these years ,but now??!!why didnt she go to meet him?!its unbelievable!!even though she might be in a fight with the family,[you never know]why wouldnt she want to meet him???it doesnt make sense....

1. Allow regular red cross visits 2. Allow regular visits from family and diplomats 3. Not keep isolated in solitary confinement for years in a hole in the ground. That is only what international conventions require. If Hamas wants to be treated like a real government, then they should act like one.

upon hearing of his release. and you know what, I wasn't in Shul (Beit Knesset) when I sang that Hallel. and you know what, it was a Kosher Hallel, just there as I was stuck in a traffic jam in my car. My dear pedantic Rebecca...G-d is everywhere, well may-be not in your judgmental stone cold heart but he's everywhere else, and as I understand it He's good getting prayers outside of synagogue too!

i am sure that the shalits thank hashem every minute of the day.

What a sad and bitter person you must be if your only comment is to judge the Shalit family disfavorably because they didnt go to Bet Knesset to give thanks for Gilad's safety. Who do you think you are that you have the right to judge other people? Live your life, and let other people live theirs, as they choose...it might make you a bit happier and more positive.

Lynnet, Hadass, Gilad's sister is doing her military service at the moment.