Hundreds protest for Shalit outside PM's home
Protest tent set up by captive soldier's family in Jerusalem becomes scene of large protest when hundreds arrive in show of support. Demonstrators carry signs with soldier's face, block road
Hundreds of supporters arrived at the Shalit family protest tent outside Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's residence in Jerusalem on Friday, carrying signs with captive soldier Gilad Shalit's face on them, whistling loudly and shouting out slogans such as "Olmert, you made a promise, Olmert, keep it!"
Several of the protesters even temporarily blocked the access road to the site.
Speaking to Ynet, Noam Shalit, the captive soldier's father, shared his feelings about the broad display of support, saying, "We only organized the place, not the people. They came from all over the country spontaneously, and this encourages us."
When asked about his personal feelings however, Shalit said, "The only thing that will warm our hearts is bringing an end to this affair – that is what matters to us."
Friday marked the family's sixth day in the tent, and the father said that, while he is not used to life in front of the cameras and constant exposure to critics and the media, he remained strong.
"This is not a reality show – this is real survival. When I think of what Gilad goes through every day in captivity, I get the energy to come here every day," the father said.
'1,000 days in captivity is enough'
One of the protestors Shirley Talmi carried a sign alluding to past prisoner exchange deals with the words "In the past we brought back corpses and returned a criminal, won't we bring back a living soldier?"Talmi told Ynet, "With all due respect, and I mean no offence, but they even got a criminal back, and everyone knows who I'm talking about, they have also exchanged captives for soldiers' corpses, but apparently, they have forgotten that there is also a living soldier. We must end this affair at any price before it's too late."
Guy Eliasaf, a friend of Shalit's from the army and a representative of the movement for his release, said the number of people showing up was evidence of the people's true will.
"This is a sign that 1,000 days in captivity is enough. The people have had enough, it has crossed every line. If Shalit is not returned in the near future, the struggle will intensify," he said, "Even if Olmert leaves his post and Gilad is still in captivity.
"We don't know if such protests help or hurt, but if one thing's for sure it's that the prime minister isn't helping."
Gilad Shalit was abducted into the Gaza Strip 992 days ago.
