Shalits ask Ashton to pressure Hamas for son's release

Day after she returns from visit to Gaza Strip, EU foreign affairs chief meets with Gilad Shalit's parents, promises to raise issue of his release in all her meetings, but in same breath says suffering of Gazan people must end for Gilad's sake

Ahiya Raved|Published: 07.19.10 , 12:06

Noam and Aviva Shalit met Monday in Jerusalem with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and asked her to take action for their son, kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, in her meetings with Palestinian officials.

The kidnapped soldier's father demanded that the EU be more assertive in their approach to Gilad's release by applying pressure on Hamas similar to what it is applying on Israel to end the blockade.

Please pressure Hamas. The Shalits with Ashton on Monday (Photo: Noam Moskowitz)

Ashton called for Shalit's immediate release and told his parents that she raises the issue in all of her meetings. However, Ashton noted the need to bring an end to the suffering of the Gazan people, saying that an improvement in their living conditions will result in improved conditions for Gilad.

The meeting between the Shalits and Ashton was held in the King David Hotel in Jerusalem and lasted for 40 minutes.

Ashton visited the Gaza Strip on Sunday, becoming the senior-most European official to enter the coastal enclave after Israel eased entry restrictions about a month ago. The EU foreign policy chief toured UN facilities and various other institutions that receiving EU funding.

Following her visit, Ashton said that there has been a certain improvement in the population's living condition, albeit a small one. She promised to return to ensure that the upward trend continues. She was careful not to meet with any Hamas representatives during her visit.

The Shalit family protested outside the cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday and promised to continue doing so every week until Gilad is released. Noam and Aviva Shalit were joined by dozens of activists in a vociferous protest meant to pressure the cabinet ministers. The activists banged on the metal fences outside the building and carried signs saying "Our hope is still not lost."

At the end of the meeting with Ashton, Noam and Aviva returned to the protest tent outside the prime minister's residence, where they met with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. Later, they will meet with Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch.