Shalit's grandfather: No longer hoping for release, but rescue

The pain in Zvi Shalit's voice when he speaks of his grandson's 1,000th day in captivity is clear. The elder Shalit told Haaretz Thursday that he no longer thinks in terms of Gilad's release, but only of his rescue.

"It's been very difficult since Gilad was captured, but there is no doubt the sadness has grown worse in the past few days," says the Israel Police retiree, who lives in the Haifa suburb of Kiryat Ata.

"We pinned our hopes and expectations on the prime minister's envoys going to Cairo for talks, and everyone expected them to come home with an agreement, but unfortunately that didn't happen."

Shalit knows that Hamas is demanding a high price, and that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert set Israel's "red lines," but he says the most important principle at stake is the Israel Defense Forces' ethical code.

"I won't get into the issue of the 'cost' [of a prisoner exchange], or who we should release. But I know the IDF has an ethical code that calls for returning every captured soldier, and that wasn't done. I see this as a violation of our understanding of the IDF's values and ethical code," he says.

Shalit still believes Olmert is directly responsible for ensuring Gilad's safe return.

"Olmert is still a sitting prime minister by law, and he can make important decisions that would end this nightmare," he says, adding that he expects the current administration to work to free his grandson until its "last moment" in office.

Shalit is worried about his grandson's fate being handed to the new Netanyahu administration, which "doesn't see itself as responsible for the kidnapping. We're concerned the new government will have to learn about the issue all over again, and that will only waste precious time."

"The precedent of Ron Arad only proves how much that fear is realistic," he says, referring to the Israeli airman who has been missing in action since he was shot down over Lebanon in 1986, and is now presumed dead.

While talks for a prisoner exchange remain stalled, Shalit says it is critical to receive a sign of life from his grandson.

"It's been almost a year since we got a real sign of life from Gilad. We waited for a response to the letter we sent him through French mediation, and despite the promise that we'd get a reply, we are yet to get anything," he said.

Shalit says his life has been turned upside down since his grandson's abduction: "I try to keep up my life as a retiree. I'm involved in programs and volunteering, but it's impossible to lead a normal life when your grandson is being held captive. I just hope this nightmare ends as soon as possible."

	Abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit's father in the family's protest tent opposite Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem earlier this week.
	Photo by: Daniel Bar-On / Jini