'Shalit tank' raises awareness in Arab city
Wooden tank carrying kidnapped soldier's 'Declaration of Independence' placed at entrance to Kfar Kassem. Mayor calls for prisoner swap with Hamas, resident says, 'Take photos of memorial for those who were massacred here in 1956'
In an effort to raise awareness in Israel's Arab sector for the campaign to release Gilad Shalit, a wooden tank carrying the kidnapped soldier's 'Declaration of Independence' arrived at Kfar Kassem on Thursday and was placed at the entrance to the town.
Some 300 residents waited for the tank, but many of them left due to a delay in its arrival.
Yaron Sagi, the reserve Armored Corps battalion commander who had commissioned the tank, said he plans on bringing it to other Arab-Israeli cities "so that Bibi (Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu) will realize that there is a desire to see Shalit released among all of the country's population."
'No faith in politicians.' 'Shalit tank near Arab city (Photo: Ido Erez)
Kfar Kassem Mayor Nader Sarsur praised the initiative and said, "We hope Gilad Shalit, as well as the security prisoners who are jailed in Israel, will be freed as soon as possible. This deal (prisoner swap) must be finalized."
The "Declaration of Independence" on the tank reads, "We, the people, have convened to declare that Gilad Shalit must be returned to his family, his home, and his people, due to the natural right to freedom all of us in Israel have.
"We call on all people, no matter their gender, race, or religion, who share this living space with us, within the borders of Israel, to send a message to the initiative that can change the rules of the game and the human behavior in our region," it says.
Malik Faraj, founder of the Candle for Peace and Harmony organization, said it has been promoting a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas. "We are citizens of this country – we must act to free Gilad freed because he is our brother," he said.
Faraj said he is organizing a delegation that will try to convince Hamas leaders in Gaza to reach an agreement with Israel. "We have the support of the majority of Israel's Arabs. We have no faith in the politicians. A referendum is needed to determine the price (number of Palestinian prisoners) for Shalit's release," he added.
However, not all of Kfar Kassem's residents viewed the initiative favorably. Ahmad Issa said he did not like the idea of placing a tank at the entrance to the town, and mentioned the 1956 massacre of the town's residents.
"Go take photos of the memorial at the center of town in honor of those who were murdered," he said.
Issa said he also wants to see Shalit released from captivity in Gaza, but added, "The children, women and all of the Palestinian prisoners must be released as well."
Shalit was kidnapped into Gaza 1,411 days ago.
