Sunday, March 8, 2009
Gilad shalit2
e added that "if the protest tent assuages the feelings of the Schalit family, it is a positive thing. The government's efforts to return Schalit should be a top priority. Israel is willing to pay a heavy price for his release because we value life."
Gilad shalit
peaking to Israel Radio on Sunday morning, Gilad's grandfather Zvi Schalit said that there was "no avoiding meeting the kidnappers' demands."
He also criticized those who disapproved of the protest. "Whoever says that... well, it's not their son or grandson, so it's better that they keep their opinions to themselves," said Zvi. "There is no way out of paying the price to release an IDF soldier."
Before the beginning of Sunday's cabinet meeting held in the prime minister's residence, Education Minister Yuli Tamir told Army Radio that it was possible protests to return Schalit were raising the price Israel would need to pay to guarantee his release.
"Nevertheless, I understand Schalit's parents," she said. "Their boy is a captive and they see his return as a distant possibility. I appreciate the restraint and respect they have maintained until now."
Infrastructures Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer also expressed his support for Schalit's parents and called for the list of prisoners slated to be released in exchange for Schalit to be presented to the cabinet.
"I asked why the list of prisoners was not put on the table in the last cabinet meeting, and I again call on Olmert to do this," he said.
Shas chairman and Trade, Labor and Industry Minister Eli Yishai assessed that the chances of the current government securing the release of Schalit were slim.
"It seems like the next government will be the one to succeed in securing Schalit's release," he said prior to the cabinet meeting. "Great efforts were made on the part of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, but the fact that Schalit is not here means not enough has been done."
He also criticized those who disapproved of the protest. "Whoever says that... well, it's not their son or grandson, so it's better that they keep their opinions to themselves," said Zvi. "There is no way out of paying the price to release an IDF soldier."
Before the beginning of Sunday's cabinet meeting held in the prime minister's residence, Education Minister Yuli Tamir told Army Radio that it was possible protests to return Schalit were raising the price Israel would need to pay to guarantee his release.
"Nevertheless, I understand Schalit's parents," she said. "Their boy is a captive and they see his return as a distant possibility. I appreciate the restraint and respect they have maintained until now."
Infrastructures Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer also expressed his support for Schalit's parents and called for the list of prisoners slated to be released in exchange for Schalit to be presented to the cabinet.
"I asked why the list of prisoners was not put on the table in the last cabinet meeting, and I again call on Olmert to do this," he said.
Shas chairman and Trade, Labor and Industry Minister Eli Yishai assessed that the chances of the current government securing the release of Schalit were slim.
"It seems like the next government will be the one to succeed in securing Schalit's release," he said prior to the cabinet meeting. "Great efforts were made on the part of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, but the fact that Schalit is not here means not enough has been done."
this is my first post
"We will stay here until the end of [Prime Minister Ehud] Olmert's term or the return of Gilad," Noam Schalit said Sunday outside the protest tent erected outside the prime minister's residence. Speaking to Army Radio, Schalit expressed disdain at Olmert's statements made last week, in which the prime minister said such protests might be counterproductive and actually embolden Schalit's captors.
Noam Schalit at the protest...
Noam Schalit at the protest tent outside the Prime Minister's Residence on Sunday.
Photo: Ariel Jerozolimski
SLIDESHOW: Israel & Region | World
"Olmert only tells us what we must not do, but we can't see him do anything to bring about results.
Our test of things is the outcome of actions and in this test, well, Gilad is still being held by Hamas," he charged.
On Friday, Olmert said rallies calling for Schalit's release were unhelpful.
"After the war in Gaza many senior ministers said the campaign and its achievements have brought us closer to releasing Gilad, but regretfully, this did not happen," Schalit continued. "The family does not dictate to the government what to do through the media, but Olmert did have three years to examine all options with every relevant factor."
Noam Schalit at the protest...
Noam Schalit at the protest tent outside the Prime Minister's Residence on Sunday.
Photo: Ariel Jerozolimski
SLIDESHOW: Israel & Region | World
"Olmert only tells us what we must not do, but we can't see him do anything to bring about results.
Our test of things is the outcome of actions and in this test, well, Gilad is still being held by Hamas," he charged.
On Friday, Olmert said rallies calling for Schalit's release were unhelpful.
"After the war in Gaza many senior ministers said the campaign and its achievements have brought us closer to releasing Gilad, but regretfully, this did not happen," Schalit continued. "The family does not dictate to the government what to do through the media, but Olmert did have three years to examine all options with every relevant factor."
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