Leaders of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations have issued a call to the American Jewish community to daven for the release of soldier Gilad ben Aviva Shalit this Shabbos, June 25th, which marks the fifth anniversary of Shalit’s kidnapping and day 1,825 that he has been held in total isolation.
“Gilad Shalit was just 19 when he was abducted by Hamas terrorists as part of an unprovoked and well-planned terrorist attack. This Saturday marks the fifth year that he has been held in total isolation with no access to the International Red Cross or any other humanitarian bodies, which is in violation of international law. We join Noam and Aviva Shalit in their ongoing fight to gain freedom for their son, and urge both Jews and non-Jews alike to pray for his immediate release. Gilad’s prolonged captivity and inhumane treatment by Hamas is the true humanitarian issue in Gaza. We cannot imagine the pain Gilad’s family has suffered during these long years not knowing the fate or well-being of their son,” said Conference of Presidents Chairman Richard Stone and Executive Vice Chairman Malcolm Hoenlein.
In addition, individuals can express their solidarity with Shalit by submitting an electronic greeting to him through the web site, www.giladgreetings.org. The site is a means to urge continued efforts by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to press Hamas to allow the ICRC to visit Shalit in order to ascertain his conditions of detention and treatment in compliance with international law.
Gilad Shalit is one of seven missing Israeli soldiers. His fellow MIAs are Ron Arad, captured in 1986; Zachary Baumel, captured in 1982; Zvi Feldman, captured in 1982; Majdy Halabi, captured in 2005; Guy Hever, captured in 1996; and Yehuda Katz, captured in 1982.
{Noam Amdurski-matzav.com Newscenter}
