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Photo: Hagai Aharon
Noam and Aviva Shalit
Photo: Hagai Aharon
Gilad Shalit as seen in video released by Hamas
Photo: AFP

Noam Shalit: I expect process to be over soon

Drama around Shalit deal at its peak: Discussion of seven-minister forum on prisoner exchange deal halted, scheduled to reconvene later Monday. Captive soldier's parents enter PMO to be briefed on progress. Noam Shalit: I am no longer optimistic, but not pessimistic either

Noam and Aviva Shalit, the parents of captive soldier Gilad Shalit, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, to be briefed on talks towards a deal that would secure their son's release.

 

Noam Shalit said at the end of his meeting with the prime minister, "There is nothing new to tell. The prime minister updated us. The process is not over, but I expect it to be over soon."

 

Shalit said to reporters, "We are continuing full steam ahead in order to finish this soon. I estimate that a decision will be made Monday or Tuesday morning."

 

Shalit added, "We mainly came to listen. I am no longer optimistic, but not pessimistic either."

 

The meeting with the prime minister began after the seven-minister forum discussion of a prisoner exchange deal was stopped. The discussion will resume at 4 pm local time on Monday.

 

The Shalits are pushing the forum of seven ministers to adopt the guidelines of the deal in formation.


Yoel and Aviva Shalit on Monday (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

 

The captive solder's brother, Yoel told Ynet on Monday, "This is a fatal day. This could be the closest we have ever been. A life and death decision is underway, and we are waiting anxiously. I am full of disappointed from past events. Today I am neither optimistic, nor pessimistic, I am just waiting for what comes out from here – and I want to believe that it will be the right decision."

 

Earlier, Gilad's mother Aviva Shalit said, "I hope the forum of seven makes a decision today. Each vote is either a death sentence or freedom for Gilad. I want Gilad home. He deserves to come back home. Let everyone that votes think about what it means."

 

Dozens of activists of the campaign for Shalit's release gathered outside the Prime Minister's Office Monday morning, and placed 120 cardboard cutouts of Gilad Shalit in his IDF uniform – one for each Knesset member, "so that every one of them can look Gilad in the eye," one of the protesters explained.

 

 

Efrat Weiss contributed to this report

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.21.09, 13:11
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