Gilad Shalit
Gilad Shalit (born August 28, 1986) is an Israeli soldier who was captured on June 25, 2006, by Hamas in a cross-border raid. He was abducted near the Kerem Shalom crossing (in Israel), and has been held as a prisoner in the Gaza Strip by Hamas since then. Hamas has refused requests from the International Committee of the Red Cross to allow the ICRC to visit Shalit. Several human rights organizations have stated that the terms and conditions of Shalit’s detention are contrary to international humanitarian law. In exchange for his release, Hamas is demanding the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, a number of which were convicted by Israeli courts on terrorism charges and have “blood on their hands.”
The United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, which released a report in September 2009, called for Shalit to be released.
Gilad Shalit’s abduction is an extremely emotional issue for Israelis who feel empathy for Shalit and his family and share the belief that the Israel Defense Forces should never leave a man behind. On the other hand, they are torn by the fear that prisoners who may be released could resume acts of terror that will kill more Israelis or that Hamas and other terror groups will be encouraged to kidnap more Israelis to try to extort the release of more prisoners or other concessions.
Gilad Shalit’s abduction is an extremely emotional issue for Israelis who feel empathy for Shalit and his family and share the belief that the Israel Defense Forces should never leave a man behind. On the other hand, they are torn by the fear that prisoners who may be released could resume acts of terror that will kill more Israelis or that Hamas and other terror groups will be encouraged to kidnap more Israelis to try to extort the release of more prisoners or other concessions.
For all those who believe in the cause of human rights, we must demand that Hamas immediately allow the ICRC to visit Shalit and that he be unconditionally released.
Some steps you can take include:
- Publicize the fact that Shalit has been a hostage for more than 4 years.
- Circulate a petition at school calling for Shalit’s release.
- Campaign to have Shalit made an honorary citizen of the city (as New Orleans has done) or you university.
- Wear bracelets/ribbons to show your solidarity.
- Post flyers relating to Shalit’s plight.
Try to bring Gilad Shalit awareness to your campus by looking at the following resources.
Meet Gilad, a site that introduces the public to Gilad’s story
Gilad Greetings: Send a Message in Support of Shalit
Meet Gilad, a site that introduces the public to Gilad’s story
Gilad Greetings: Send a Message in Support of Shalit
The Gilad Shalit Committee of America
Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren on Gilad Shalit
www.giladgreetings.org
