Despite rumors, little optimism at Shalit protest tent

It was cold and rainy in Jerusalem yesterday, and especially cold inside the Shalit family's protest tent across from the Prime Minister's Residence. But the winter chill hasn't broken the resolve of members of soldier Gilad Shalit's family, who are determined not to miss this opportunity to bring him home, almost 1,000 days after he was abducted on the Gaza border. The weather also didn't deter the thousands of visitors who visited the tent yesterday to show their support and encouragement of the family.

Rumors and reports of progress in negotiations with Hamas over Shalit's release washed over the occupants of the tent, who were torn between a natural inclination to celebrate and the deep fear that they would again be disappointed. Gilad Shalit's father, Noam, continued to be cautious.

"I think these are the one or two critical days, but I am not at all optimistic. If I were optimistic, I wouldn't be here. I would be at home," he said.

Activists for Shalit's release are gearing up for yet another round in the battle for public opinion. It's clear to them that publication of the names of prisoners who would be freed in exchange for Shalit could compromise the public consensus, which has prevailed during this protest.

Thus, if and when a deal is sealed, the second round of public relations efforts will begin. Despite the belief that the cabinet will support a prisoner-exchange arrangement by a large majority, there is concern about a scenario similar to the one that occured during the transfer by Hezbollah of the bodies of soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser. A bitter public controversy erupted at that time, and Prime Minister Olmert expressed his opposition to the deal at the last minute.

Yesterday morning Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, a member of the security cabinet, paid a visit to the protest tent and told members of the Shalit family that he would support a prisoner exchange deal if it came to a vote by the cabinet.