"In spite of the crisis in the Palestinian Authority and the severing of ties with Gaza, the negotiations for (kidnapped IDF soldier )Gilad Shalit's release in exchange for prisoners continue," Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman said Sunday evening in a meeting with Meretz faction members in Cairo.
The Egyptian official told the Meretz member he was awaiting an Israeli answer on the Shalit affair. He noted that the Egyptian efforts focused on bolstering the PA and the Palestinian president, while weakening extreme elements, through economic and political pressures.
Meanwhile Sunday, some 2,000 people, including the leaders of France's Jewish community and its chief rabbis, took part in a rally held at Paris' Great Synagogue in solidarity with the kidnapped soldiers – Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev .
The rally was also attended by the abducted troops' families, who arrived in Paris as part of a series of meetings with European leaders, which began in Portugal.
Noam Shalit, Gilad's father, delivered his speech in French, noting that more than a year after his son's kidnapping, the Palestinians have still not let any international body visit his son and check his medical condition.
Shalit added that Palestinian prisoners jailed in Israel were entitled for visits, including those sentenced for dozens of murders. In addition, Israel let them receive letters and packages, and provided them with high-quality medical care, as well as academic studies.
Shalit also mentioned that Gilad and all his family members were French citizens.
Kidnapped soldiers' pictures at Paris' Great Synagogue (Photo: AFP)
According to Shalit, former prime ministers knew that there was need for a brave decision on a prisoner swap.
"Unfortunately, we also witnessed another incident, a tragic one, of navigator Ron Arad. The Israeli government hesitates, and one day Ron Arad disappeared without a trace – to this very day," he warned.
Benny Regev, Eldad's brother, said, "We ask you to help us convinced France to act more firmly to change the situation. France did everything in order to pass Resolution 1701 ,and should also work for its implementation for the captive's release."
Goldwasser family members in Paris (Photo: AFP)
Ehud Goldwasser's wife Karnit presented Tomer Weinberg, the soldier who was critically injured during her husband's kidnapping and survived. When Weinberg took the stage, the audience applauded and many broke into tears.
Goldwasser said that Weinberg was the reason why the families did not lose hope. "He was badly injured, but with the proper medical treatment he is here with us alive. This is why we don’t lose hope. This is why we will not rest until we see the sons back home."
"We have been moving for a year – moving from one country to another and from one leader to another. We need you to strengthen us and turn to your government, the French government, to meet with Lebanese representatives soon and demand that they receive a sign of life from the sons."
The kidnapped soldiers' families are expected to meet with French President Nicolas Sarkozy at 10 am Monday. They will demand that France use its influence in Lebanon and insist on the clause in Resolution 1701 calling for the captives' release. On Monday evening, they are scheduled to meet with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.
Attila Somfalvi contributed to the report