Rally in NY Next Week for Gilad Schalit

Jews across the country are being encouraged to participate in an upcoming rally in support of Israeli MIA Gilad Schalit. The rally will take place on May 27, 2009, at 12:00 PM outside the offices of the International Committee of the Red Cross at 801 2nd Avenue in Manhattan (near 43rd Street). Gilad Schalit was captured by Hamas terrorists on June 25, 2006, and has been held captive in Gaza ever since. The International Committee of the Red Cross, whose stated mission is “to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance,” has ignored Gilad Schalit’s plight and failed to visit the Israeli MIA during his time in captivity.

“The Red Cross has inexplicably turned its back on Gilad Schalit and the Schalit family, and failed to take steps to secure his release,” said NCYI President Shlomo Z. Mostofsky, Esq. “We cannot allow the Red Cross to shirk its humanitarian duties while Gilad Schalit languishes in prison. It is time to express our displeasure and tell the Red Cross to do whatever it can to bring Gilad Schalit home.”

Leaders of Young Israel recently met with Noam Schalit, the father of Gilad Schalit, during his recent visit to the United States. Mr. Schalit traveled to the U.S. to hold meetings with the Obama administration and Congressional and Senate leaders in an effort to solicit their assistance in the hope of securing his son’s release. According to NCYI Executive Vice President Rabbi Pesach Lerner, the meeting with Noam Schalit centered on the importance of the continued support of Jews throughout the world while Gilad’s fate remains uncertain.

Since Gilad Schalit was captured nearly three years ago, the National Council of Young Israel has led an ongoing campaign to pray for his well-being and safe return. In addition, the NCYI launched an international grass roots effort aimed at bringing Gilad Schalit home. The NCYI created www.BringGiladHome.com, which is a website designed to help secure Gilad Schalit’s freedom.

Visitors to www.BringGiladHome.com are urged to call, fax, and send letters to Israeli leaders on a daily basis. The website provides contact information for Israeli government officials and representatives in Israel and in the United States, a sample letter that people can fax, e-mail, or send via regular mail, and sample wording to use when calling Israeli leaders.{Noam Amdurski-Matzav.com Newscenter}