Shalit's parents: We've reached point of no return
Aviva and Noam Shalit arrive at Prime Minister's Office with letter to Netanyahu on backdrop of reports that he is reluctant to approve prisoner exchange deal with Hamas. Earlier, cabinet ministers convene for special meeting but don't vote on possible deal
They were joined by Shimshon Liebman, head of the campaign for Shalit's release. They did not meet with the prime minister, but such a meeting has been scheduled for Monday.
The parents wrote in the letter, "We feel that the coming days are critical for our beloved son Gilad. We are following with deep concern and great hope the moves of the Israeli government and its leader, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, in your sincere efforts to bring Gilad back home. We turn to you, Mr. Prime Minister, before it's becomes too late.
"Our heart tells us that this chapter of the negotiations is reaching a point of no return… We are at a point of decision in which there are only two options: Rescuing Gilad and bringing him home or abandoning him in the hands of Hamas."
The parents concluded by saying, "We appeal to you with this last-minute cry. Please rescue our son, rescue Gilad."
Signs for Shalit at Erez crossing (Photo: Reuters)
Shortly before the family's arrival, the top seven cabinet ministers ended a long meeting which, according to estimates, was convened to discuss the details of a possible prisoner exchange deal.
The cabinet meeting was convened following a hasty announcement delivered on Saturday night. It began Sunday morning and continued in the afternoon. Ynet has learned that the ministers did not vote on a deal securing Shalit's release.
Noam Shalit told reporters that the parents had asked Netanyahu "not to load on our son's soldiers all of the problems of the Middle East.
"This is the moment to make decisions," he said. "As you know, we are following the efforts made by all elements to end this affair with concern and hope. I can say that we cannot imagine this sad affair not being solved after three and a half years during which all the possible mistakes were made, and our son Gilad is still rotting days, weeks, months and years in the darkness of the Hamas cellars.
"We are certain that Prime Minister Netanyahu is committed and determined to end the affair as he has promised before and after the elections."
Several activists from the Shalit campaign stood outside the building and chanted, "We want him home; we want him now."
The letter was delivered to Netanyahu following a slew of reports in the Arab media and in the American Fox network that the prisoner exchange deal is being delayed due to the prime minister's reluctance over the price Hamas is demanding for the kidnapped soldier.
'Suleiman expressed Egypt's discontent'
Meanwhile Sunday, Egyptian Intelligence Minister Omar Suleiman continued his round of talks with Israeli officials. In the afternoon hours, he met with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who told reporters at the onset of the one-hour meeting that "Egypt is an important player in the region and is deeply involved in all aspects of the regional dialogue".
He expressed hope that Suleiman's meetings in Israel would help push forward the Palestinian peace process.
Barak's office said the meeting was also attended by Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai, head of the political-security branch of the Defense Ministry Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Gilad and Maj.-Gen. Amir Eshel, head of the IDF's Planning and Policy Directorate.
Barak and Suleiman spoke privately for half an hour, his office said, adding that the meeting centered on regional threats and the challenges both Israel and Egypt are facing.
Palestinian sources told Ynet that Suleiman had brought along a message of discontent from Egypt over the fact that it has not been briefed on the recent developments in the Shalit issue.
The Palestinians said that reports that Cairo had pressured Israel to toughen its stance on the Shalit issue so as not to hurt the Palestinian Authority's status were untrue. According to the sources, the PA's only demand was that any progress would be accompanied by an Israeli commitment to release hundreds of prisoners as a gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Gilad Shalit was kidnapped into the Gaza Strip 1,274 days ago.
Attila Somfalvi contributed to this report
