1000 Days

Today: September 3, 2010

1000 Days

Tag: Israeli Politics

Posted: Thu 19th March 2009 2.50 PM | Author: Geoffrey Smith

This Saturday Gilad Shalit will have been in captivity in Gaza for 1000 days. Joy Wolfe from Manchester in England visited Gilad’s parents this week in the tent they have put up outside the home of Israel’s Prime Minister. 

Hundreds of messages have been pinned to the wall alongside the tent and there is a steady stream of people calling by to express their solidarity and support, to sign the petition, take car stickers and yellow ribbons and to buy specially designed T-shirts.
"It was a highly emotional experience" said Mrs Wolfe, "and I cannot begin to imagine what the family is going through."

She delivered a letter with assurances of prayer and support for Gilad from the UK. "I promised we would do all we can to pressure our Government to act to seek Gilad's release and that we would also seek more effort from the Red Cross to find out more and to demand permission to visit him in accordance with international law,” she said. 

Gilad was kidnapped on the Israel side of the border with Gaza, three years ago. Members of Hamas or their associates had tunneled under the boundary fence and attacked an Israeli patrol in a cross-border raid. They killed two Israeli soldiers and seized Gilad alive and took him back with them. 

Gilad Shalit is a young Israeli serviceman and has been held by terrorists in Gaza ever since. The International Red Cross has not been allowed access to him in flagrant breach of international law and convention. One report alleged that he was being held in a cell below ground and that the access shaft was lined with explosives which could be detonated to bury him alive in the event of any attempted rescue.

A written message from him was delivered to his parents in the early days of his captivity and our understanding is that he is still alive though his condition is unknown. More than a year ago Christian Friends of Israel delivered 12,000 signed petitions to Parliament in Westminster urging the British government to press for his release on humanitarian grounds. We received assurances from Tony Blair that the plight of the Israeli hostages was a high priority in discussions with neighbouring states in the Middle East.

Since Hamas does not recognize Israel, and Israel does not have relations with Hamas, Egypt has been a consistent mediator in negotiations. These have been stepped up since the unilateral ceasefires between Israel and Hamas at the end of January. The negotiations held in Cairo ended in deadlock on Monday night this week after two days of intensive discussions. 

Hamas is demanding more than a thousand prisoners to be released (many of them convicted of serious offences including murder) in exchange for the one Israeli. If Israel is criticized for a disproportionate response to the rockets fired from Gaza, then this is an even more disproportionate demand from Hamas! On their calculation one Israeli is worth over 1000 Palestinians.

On the Israeli side, the near certainty that release of convicted killers would mean that some return to violence, adds to the anguish. The exchange demanded by Hamas would mean the death of some innocent Israelis now living in freedom. How should any government resolve a dilemma like that?

Father, we cry to you for Gilad Shalit, held in captivity, and for his parents in their anguish. We pray for your intervention in this situation, for wisdom for the government and a sense of compassion among those who have held him for 1000 days. Above all we pray for your comfort for this young man and his family. In your mercy Lord, we cry to you. Amen 

Geoffrey Smith, Director, Christian Friends of Israel

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