PM aides: Shalit march a legitimate move

Sources close to Netanyahu tell Ynet prime minister has no criticism over protest journey organized by kidnapped soldier's family. 'He will do all he can to bring about Gilad's release in the future as well,' one of them says

Roni Sofer |Published: 06.27.10 , 07:22

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's associates said Saturday evening that the protest march aimed at pressuring the government to work to release kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit was a legitimate move.

The march was scheduled to leave from Shalit's hometown of Mitzpe Hila in northern Israel on Sunday morning and end outside the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem next weekend.

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"It's a legitimate move on the part of the family," one of Netanyahu's aides told Ynet. "We understand the family and its pain and have no objection or criticism about it. The prime minister met with the Shalit family members in the past and will do the same in the future as well in order to do all he can to bring about Gilad's release as soon as possible."

Minister Michael Eitan (Likud) clarified that despite the disagreements over a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, there was no argument in Israel over the desire to see Shalit return home.

"We have arguments in favor and against any issue, but in this case we are all united. The march's aim is to express the emotional and national sentiment which exists within each and every one of us, and the need to return the soldier in order to remind all of us to work tirelessly for his release," he said.

Minister Avishay Braverman (Labor) stressed his sweeping support for a deal with Hamas. "I would like to strengthen Aviva and Noam Shalit in their struggle for the release of their son, Gilad, and have fully and publicly supported a deal which will lead to his release. The State of Israel sent Gilad to defend it, and it's our moral duty to bring him home – after four years in Hamas captivity."

Science and Technology Minister Daniel Hershkowitz (Habayit Hayehudi) also said that he identifies with "good people's desire to see soldier Gilad Shalit's quick return. I am working for it, both in the government and in the cabinet."