Eitan: Issue beyond dispute
Photo: Gil Yohanan
First minister to join Shalit march
Michael Eitan says he is not joining march to pressure government, but to identify with family
Michael Eitan, the minister of improvement of government services, will become the first minister to join the march for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit on Wednesday.
"In my opinion the march is beyond any dispute," he told Ynet, stressing that he was not joining in order to "pressure the government".
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"That's absurd. I am part of the government," said Eitan. "But, as a citizen, I want to express my identification with Gilad Shalit and his family."
On Wednesday the march is expected to reach Latrun and a ceremony has been scheduled to take place there at noon. Then, at 4 pm, the marchers will head towards Jerusalem.
Eitan, who has announced he will participate in this part of the march, said Shalit was suffering, and that there could be "no dispute on the fact that we must help him and his family".
The minister stressed that no politics were involved. "We must unite and display solidarity," he said. "I am acting according to my feelings."
However Eitan refused to say how he would vote if ministers were asked to determine whether a prisoner-swap would be signed for Shalit's release.
"As of now the issue has not yet been brought before the government. When it is I will weigh my decision according to the information I have and the circumstances," he said.
