Noam Shalit leads march
Photo: Avisag She'ar Yeshuv
Shalit rally in Akko: Gilad soldier in people's army
Hundreds of supporters join kidnapped soldier's family in protest march from Kibbutz Lohamei HaGeta'ot to Akko, where Shalit's brother will address crowd. 'We hope public keeps coming and supporting us until journey ends in Jerusalem,' father says
The protest march organized by the family of the kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit began its second day at Kibbutz Lohamei HaGeta'ot, where hundreds of supporters gathered.
Noam Shalit, the father of the captive soldier, told Ynet Monday morning, "We were surprised and delighted with the amount of people who joined us yesterday. It was very encouraging. We continue our march as planned and hope the public keeps coming and supporting us until the journey ends in Jerusalem."
The family spent the night in Kibbutz Kfar Masaryk.
At around 9 am the protestors arrived in Akko, where a short rally was held with the participation of some 3,000 people. Aviva Shalit, the soldier's mother said, "Hopefully your support will lead to Gilad's release."
Akko Chief Rabbi Yosef Yashar told to crowd, "Should Gilad's mother and father lead this campaign? Gilad is a soldier in the people's army and this is not the Shalit family's private war; it is the war of the entire Israeli nation.
Noam and Aviva Shalit during march (Photo: Avisag She'ar Yeshuv)
"We call on the prime minister to show responsibility and heed the nation's call. Gilad's life is more valuable than all of the despicable Hamas prisoners, including those with blood on their hands," said the rabbi.
The marchers are expected to reach Kiryat Motzkin in the late afternoon hours, where the main rally, which will be broadcast live on Ynet, will be held. Gilad Shalit's brother Yoel is expected to speak.
The march is set to end in Jerusalem in about 10 days. Shalit's parents said they would camp outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official residence in the capital until their son returns home.
On Sunday Shimshon Libman, the head of the Gilad Shalit campaign, conveyed a message to the government and the bereaved parents who object to a prisoner swap deal, in which hundreds of terrorists would be released in exchange for Gilad's freedom. "Leaders, do not be afraid, this is where our strength lies. One of ours is worth hundreds of theirs."
Gilad Shalit was kidnapped on June 25, 2006 by Palestinian terrorists during a cross-border raid on an IDF base near Gaza.
