'Gaining strength.' Shalit family in Latrun
Photo: Ohad Tsoigenberg
'Hats off.' Noam Shalit
Photo: Ohad Tsoigenberg
Noam Shalit: Even cynical politicians can't ignore march
During rally at Armored Corps memorial site in Latrun, captive soldier's father thanks supporters, says 'tens of thousands of people, maybe even hundreds of thousands, can't be wrong'
The father of captive soldier Gilad Shalit called on the public to join the final stretch of the protest march aimed at pressuring the government into reaching a prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas.
"Join us on our journey to Jerusalem. Together we will climb the mountain, and no one - not even the most cynical politicians - will be able to ignore such a wave of citizens calling to bring Gilad home," Noam Shalit said Wednesday, the 11th day of the protest march which began at the Shalit family home in Mitzpe Hila.
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"Tens of thousands of people, maybe even hundreds of thousands, can't be wrong," he said.
Shalit was speaking during a rally held at the Armored Corps Memorial Site near Latrun, which was attended by hundreds of supporters. Shuli Natan sang Noami Shemer's "Jerusalem of Gold".
The name of Noam Shalit's brother Yoel is inscribed on a memorial plaque displaying the names of all the fallen soldiers from the Armored Corps.
"We've visited this site a number of times before, but we never imagined we would come here as part of a march, at the height of summer, while heading a column of citizens who are following us," said Noam Shalit.
The protestors are set to arrive in Jerusalem on Thursday.
"Such a march, which is only gaining strength, is unprecedented. We take our hats off to all the citizens – women, children, young and old - who have joined us," Noam Shalit added. "We won't stop until Gilad returns home."
On Tuesday the protestors arrived in Tel Aviv, where a mass rally was held. Some 15,000 people gathered at Rabin Square heard former Chief Rabbi of Israel Meir Lau say he was "willing to trade places with Gilad, to have him go home and return in peace.
"I am not familiar with the details of the negotiations, but I do not understand why one youth has been carrying the weight of Israel's security on his shoulders for four years," the rabbi said during the demonstration.
Prior to the rally, the demonstrators arrived at the defense minister's house and, using loudspeakers, called on Ehud Barak to "wake up." The procession then continued to the Kirya army base.
The marchers were surprised when Minister Barak's wife, Nili Priell, joined the rally outside the house. She explained to Ynet, "The fact that I am here says something."
