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."