• Published 12:35 17.09.09
  • Latest update 12:38 17.09.09

Rosh Hashanah package for Shalit makes it past Gaza border

Palestinian activists bring 100 volumes of Koran for security prisoners in exchange for holiday package.

By Yanir Yagna Tags: Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange Israel news IDF

The father of abducted soldier Gilad Shalit on Thursday transferred over the Gaza Strip border a Rosh Hashana package for his son, who has been in Palestinian captivity for more than three years.

While the package made it past the Karni border crossing, the Shalit family does not know whether Hamas will allow it to reach their son.

In exchange for the allowing the package through, Palestinian activists sent to Israel 100 volumes of the Koran to be given to Palestinian security prisoners jailed in Israel.

Noam Shalit, father of the abducted soldier, on Wednesday lamented that Gilad would "celebrate" the upcoming Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah in Gaza, instead of in Israel with his family.

"Gilad is so close to here, and yet so far away," Army Radio quoted Noam Shalit as saying. "We're standing here on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, which Gilad will 'celebrate' in Hamas' basements in Gaza. For a stretch of 1,200 days and nights, [he has been] away from his family, friends and the State of Israel."

Shalit made the comments at a rally drawing hundreds of Israelis and Palestinians on both sides of the Gaza security fence, which called for the release of his son as well as of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

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  • 8. 0 0
    SO CALLED WORLD LEADERS
    • captain grumpy
    • 21.09.09
    • 01:45

    If more "so called world leaders" demanded his release,it would be done BUT I think they are too afraid of the factions in their own countries. Its a pity they think more of themselves and then preach to yhe rest.

  • 7. 0 0
    assymetry
    • avrum pesach
    • 17.09.09
    • 17:48

    Again we have the assymetry of morality between Israel and the Arabs. Israels will oppose the government policy, embrace Palestinian ideas, and suffer no consequences as part of the democratic and open society. Palestinians and Arabs in general dare not speak out in opposition to their regimes position at peril of imprisonment or worse. Hamas provoked the war and preaches the destruction of Israel. The Israeli government now accepts a Palestinian state as a goal, tho denial and threats of destruction come back as an answer from Hamas. They destroy their own people and avoid building a state while Israel thrives. Am Yisrael Chai.

  • 6. 0 0
    Common decency would require...
    • Cosmo
    • 17.09.09
    • 17:26

    That Hamas immediately release Gilad Shalit with no strings attached. But that is too much to ask of Hamas as well. Cosmo

  • 5. 0 0
    A start
    • ben
    • 17.09.09
    • 17:22

    Proof of life would be a big step. One would think that would stengthen the palestinians position

  • 4. 0 0
    Common decency is there
    • sh
    • 17.09.09
    • 17:14

    The journalist who took the package promised it would be given to someone who can deliver it. He sounded decent and talked peace. We were told he is linked to Hamas. I believe common decency will prevail. Let us hope that Gil'ad Shalit's parents receive reliable confirmation that the package has been received by him. Rosh Hashana and Eid El Fitr coincide this year. Shana tova and Eid mubarak.

  • 3. 0 0
    I hope that Gilad enjoyed the package...
    • Silvienne
    • 17.09.09
    • 16:58

    ...his father sent to him.

  • 2. 0 0
    Gilad Shalit.
    • David Nigel Braham
    • 17.09.09
    • 15:02

    Shana tova Gilad,lets hope that humanity prevails and you will be home soon.

  • 1. 0 0
    Common decency would require
    • Mark Lincoln
    • 17.09.09
    • 13:40

    Common decency would require that Hamas convey the package to Gilad Shalit. But that is a lot to expect from the organization which keeps him captive.