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Last update - 21:29 25/09/2008
Israeli authors to Olmert: Save Gilad Shalit now
By Jack Khoury, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Hamas, Gilad Shalit 

A group of Israeli authors and cultural figures recently wrote a letter to outgoing prime minister Ehud Olmert urging him to "save Gilad Shalit before it is too late."

Shalit, an Israel Defense Forces soldier, was abducted by Gaza militants in June 2006, and efforts under Olmert's leadership have been ongoing to secure his release.

In the letter, written by A.B. Yehoshua, David Grossman, Amos Oz, and Agi Mishol, among others, the authors write that they are aware of the fact that securing Shalit's release involves making very difficult decisions, and understand the implications of releasing Palestinian prisoners involved in terror in exchange for his freedom. However, they say, "Israel's commitment to its soldiers, and its willingness to make significant sacrifices for them is worth far more than the price. It is a moral obligation, which is also a privilege."
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According to the authors, the lives of IDF soldiers were never measured "according to their worth but rather according to their value."

"This knowledge, with which soldiers will go out to battle," the letter continues, "has always been the source of the IDF's might. Israeli soldiers are willing to risk their lives for their country, knowing that if heaven forbid they are captured, or wounded in battle, the entire state will not rest until they are brought home."

The authors mention in the letter another famous soldier who was abducted and has yet to return - Israel Air Force navigator Ron Arad, who has been missing since his plane went down over Lebanon in 1986. They plead with the prime minister to act fast, saying "the passing time is increasing the danger that Gilad's fate will be similar to that of Ron." They quote the missing airman, who wrote in his last letter "act, because there is no time."

"We beg of you, the honorable prime minister," they say.

The letter goes on to say that the authors understand the concern that Hamas, one of the groups holding Shalit and the rulers of the Gaza Strip, may interpret the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for one might be interpreted as a sign of weakness. However, they say, the envy expressed in the Arab world surrounding Israel's dedication in returning abducted soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser from Hezbollah's hands indicate otherwise.

"Bless the nation that stands by her sons in this way," the authors say, "bless the government that overcomes all the fears and brings her sons home, after sending them on a mission."

The authors conclude their letter with words written by Shalit himself: "Don't abandon me, don't abandon a soldier that went on a mission for everyone and then wasted away in his captors' prison."

Olmert responded to the letter, saying that Israel's government, under his leadership, owes Shalit to free him, even at a heavy price. "This is a Jewish obligation and a moral duty on the behalf of a nation that asks its sons to risk their lives for the state." He added that he is not at liberty to reveal the steps that have been taken to secure Shalit's release, but insisted that the utmost efforts are being made on many different channels.



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