Israel Speaks
Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was kid- napped from his outpost in June 2006.
Ever since then he has been under the captivity of the Hamas terror
organization somewhere in the Gaza Strip.
The last sign of life from him is a video clip filmed in Sep 2009.
Shalom! I am Gilad, the son of Noam and Aviva Shalit, -
the brother of Hadas and Yoel and I live in Mitzpe Ilan.
My ID-number is 300097029.
Today is Monday the 14th of September 2009.
As you can see, I'm holding in my hand today's Palestinian newspaper
of the 14th of September in Gaza.
The negotiations for Gilad Shalit's release have been in a standstill
already for a long time.
In exchange Hamas demands the release of over 1000 terrorists
from Israeli prisons.
A national movement in Israel has been established to work
to free Gilad Shalit in every possible way.
It organizes various campaigns in order to promote public awarness.
In March 2011 hundreds of thousands of Israelis took part in a 5 minute
standing strike, which was held on streets to remind of Gilad Shalit's
5 year imprisonment.
6 months earlier his parents set up a demonstration tent
in the center of Jerusalem.
They plan to live there until their son's release.
The tent is set up in front of the Prime Minister's office.
- And you are here all the time?
- We've been here since the beginning of July 2010.
- So, you eat and sleep here?
- Yes, we live here.
- Can you as parents and the people closest to Gilad know what
he might be thinking after such a long period of time?
- How could we know?
When he left he was a young man, under 20 years old.
Today, he is almost 25 years old.
We hope that somehow he has the strength to go on.
- Does your living here give a little bit of the same feeling
of how it feels to be far from home?
- You cannot compare it...
We are here in the heart of the city, -
while he is imprisoned and completely isolated from the outside world.
For five years, half a decade, -
he has not seen the light of day.
- What is the latest sign of life from him?
- The video one and a half years ago, -
in September 2009.
- And after that - nothing?
- After that we have not had any contact with him.
Not us and not anyone else.
- Last week there was a 5 minute standing strike, -
when everyone stopped what they were doing for this cause.
Do you think we will see more of these things?
- I don't know yet. We will consider the course of action
according to the development of the situation.
- Do you feel that the public takes part in your pain?
- Yes, we feel and we also see that the public stands with us.
Unfortunately, the support has not yet resulted in decisions
from our side nor from Hamas' side.
- I want to tell your family that I know many people in Finland
who think of you and are praying for you constantly.
- Thank you very much. Happy holiday! - Thank you very much.
I am reading in the newspaper and trying to find some information
relating to my release and quick return home.
I have been hoping and waiting already for a long time for the day
of my release. I hope that the current government led by Benyamin Netanyahu
would not let the opportunity of an agreement pass by
so that I could finally fulfill my dream and be released.
There are currently a few hundred former war prisoners living in Israel.
They most likely understand best the situation of Gilad Shalit.
One of them is Micky Sheiffe.
He is also the spokesperson of "Erim B'laila - Night Watchers" -
the support organization for former war prisoners.
Micky was called to refresher training in October 1973.
He served as the Israeli army's liaison officer in a UN outpost
in the Suez Canal on the Egyptian border.
A few days later Egypt attacked Israel and the Yom Kippur War began.
Micky was captured by the Egyptians and transferred to a prison
on the outskirts of Cairo.
I want to send greetings to my family and tell them that I love them
and miss them very much and I'm hoping for the day to see them again.
Father, Yoel and Hadas, do you remember the day when you came
to my base in the Golan on the 31st of December 2005?
If I'm not mistaken it was called Revaya Bet.
We took a tour in the base and you took a picture of me
on top of a Merkava tank, which was one of the oldest tanks
at the entrance to the base.
Afterwards we drove to a restaurant in one of the Druze villages
and on the way we took pictures with snowy Hermon on the background.
Micky thinks that only former war prisoners can understand
what Gilad Shalit is going through.
I want to tell you that I feel good health-wise
and the Izz al-din al-Qassam Brigades treat me very well.
Thank you very much and goodbye!
Although all Israelis want the release of Gilad Shalit, -
there are still those who are not willing to pay just any price for it.
They say the 1000 freed terrorists who will return to act against Israel
is a price the state cannot afford.
Translation: Sonja Mattayev