Noam and Aviva Shalit
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Dr. Aryeh Bachrach
Photo: Ata Awisat
Members of the Shalit campaign are gearing for what may be the last act in a long battle.
In wake of three special seven-minister cabinet meetings which ended with no result on Sunday night, and ahead of another meeting set for Monday morning, both those fighting for the Hamas-held soldier's release and those who oppose a deal which will set arch-murderers free, know that this is the final stretch.
Brainstorming
Attila Somfalvi
Top seven government members convene at Prime Minister's Office for third time Sunday to debate prisoner exchange deal aimed at securing kidnapped soldier's release. Hamas source says frequent meetings being held on Israeli side for public opinion purposes
The Shalits then joined members of the campaign who rallied outside the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem.
Members of the reservists' campaign also relayed a letter to the Netanyahu, in which they urge decisive action: "In these crucial moments we expect you to show leadership and maneuver the negotiations for Shalit's release with perseverance and determination.
"We remind you that his fate will mirror Israeli society's ethical resilience." Attached to the letter was the campaign's petition, signed by 4,700 reservists.
Meanwhile, the Almagor Terror Victims' Association and other groups opposing the deal, have stepped up their efforts to stop any prisoner exchange.
Dr. Aryeh Bachrach, head of the Bereaved Parents' Forum, called on those opposing the deal to pressure Netanyahu and the cabinet ministers using any means possible, suggesting they "bombard" the respective offices with phone calls, faxes and emails.
"This is a counter-initiative to the pressure the prime minister in under to make what we feel is the wring decision. We're all for Gilad's release, but not at the expanse of releasing arch-murderers," he told Ynet.
Ahiya Raved contributed to this report