Orna Shimoni
Photo: Tsafrir Abayov
The Shalit real estate initiative
Shalit activists say they plan to buy house opposite Bibi's Caesarea residence
New form of protest: Activists on behalf of abducted soldier Gilad Shalit are planning to buy a house opposite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Caesarea residence.
"We are in advance stages of purchasing a home opposite the PM's house in Caesarea in order to hold a regular protest watch there," leading activist Magen Dahari said. "It costs NIS 10 million (roughly $2.8 million) – yet this is small price to pay for Gilad Shalit."
On Friday, activists launched a new initiative that is expected to be held weekly – a convoy of vehicles carrying families from across the nation traveled on the Cross-Israel Highway en route to the Kiryat Gat area in the south; the protestors, who were carrying flags and signs, held a rally at the site and urged PM Netanyahu to finalize a prisoner swap for Shalit.
Participants were wearing green ribbons on their arms symbolizing their support for the cause. The convoy included a truck carrying a tank display with Gilad's head sticking out of it.
Speaking at the event, activist Orna Shimoni urged the government to "curb the supply of fuel, money, and goods through the Gaza crossings."
"We have to worsen the conditions of Hamas captives in jail," she said. "The whole nation feels great moral unease over this issue. The days pass and they're merely boosting Hamas, which is a murderous organizations."
"An abducted solider who had not seen the light of day for four years now constitutes a weapon for Hamas," she added. "Hence, the government must not remain silent."
Addressing arguments that the protest increases Hamas appetite, Shimoni responded: "I'm tired of the argument that we raise the price. Our job is to protest and the government's job is to act. We cannot leave an abducted captive in the hands of a fiendish enemy, even if we need to release prisoners to that end. The dangers will not disappear."
The activists are also planning to hold a Shabbat dinner opposite Netanyahu's home.
Gilad Shalit was abducted to the Gaza Strip 1,405 days ago.
