After a long period of silence, Gilad Shalit's father has resumed his public protest. Noam Shalit, who arrived at the Kerem Shalom crossing at the Gaza border on Tuesday, said he does not see any diplomatic activity for his son's release, but that the German mediator is still working on the case.
Shalit arrived at the Gaza crossing where activists of the campaign for the release of the captive soldier gathered to hinder the entrance of fuel tankers into the Strip. The activists placed stickers on the cargo that read: "This siege was not decreed by God – when Gilad is freed you can finally breathe easy."
Shimshon Libman, head of the campaign for the soldier's release, explained why protest activity had resumed: "We want to bring the matter back to the public's awareness. Our emphasis while waiting for a response from Hamas ,is on the residents of Gaza. They must understand that the transfer of goods is not something to be taken for granted, and that public pressure is something that can disrupt it. We expect the prime minister to get the job done and secure Shalit's return home."
Hadar Miller, one of the activists at Kerem Shalom, told Ynet that "the truck drivers are cooperating with us and exposing the goods so that we can get our messages across."
Yoel Marshak, head of the Kibbutz Movement's task force, said he views the Shalit family's return to public protest after a long period of silence as a step in the right direction.
"We are back in the struggle, which will continue to gain strength," he said. "The Shalit family has realized that there is a stalemate and that nothing will come from the negotiations, and they joined us on the field. Not a single bag of flour passes by here without us placing a sticker on it."
On Thursday, Noam Shalit spoke before Jewish leaders at the Museum of the Jewish Diaspora in Tel Aviv and urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to close a deal with Hamas to secure his son's release.
"I urge the prime minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, to demonstrate decisive and courageous leadership and do what is expected of a leader – make decisions," Shalit said.
He added, "Even if tough decisions are necessary, even if decisions that bear risks are necessary – we must bring back Gilad - who was sent on a mission almost four years ago, and has been rotting in a Hamas prison ever since – without delay."
He also criticized the administration of US President Barack Obama, who he said, was expressing displeasure over the deal and hinting to Israeli leaders not to go ahead with it.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak also commented on negotiations for Shalit's release last week, saying that Israel is not willing to pay any price to get the soldier back. We have rules," he said, "We have set off on military operations to free captives more than once. This is not a simple matter, and it calls for discretion. As long as there is no opportunity for action, negotiations are being held.
"Ultimately, one way or another, we will take any possible and suitable step to bring Shalit home. Not at all costs, but by any suitable and possible means."
Ilana Curiel contributed to this report