NEW YORK (Press Release) – The Jewish Federations of North America heralded the announcement on Tuesday of the potentially impending release of Israel Defense Forces Corporal Gilad Shalit after more than five years in Hamas captivity.
According to Israeli and U.S. media reports, Shalit will be freed in a prisoner exchange that will bring his safe return to Israel in exchange for the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, under an Egyptian-brokered agreement with Hamas that Israel’s Cabinet has approved this evening, local time.
Jewish communities and Federations across North America have been campaigning for Shalit’s release since his capture, working publicly and behind the scenes to increase awareness, lobby government and international officials and raise funds for the effort to free him.
JFNA President and CEO Jerry Silverman expressed cautious joy about the impending news, noting he had just recent met with the Shalits in the tent they had erected outside the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem to keep public attention focused on their son’s captivity.
“Having had the privilege of sitting with Aviv and Noam Shalit in their tent and seeing the pain of five years of captivity of a child, hearing this news, I don’t have words to describe how grateful and overjoyed I am for them and their family,” Silverman said.
“It is difficult to find words to describe the excitement and relief being felt here in Israel on this exciting day. I know that Jewish communities across North America share these emotions,” added Rebecca Caspi, director general of JFNA’s Israel office. “The Jewish Federations stand with Israel in times of need as well as in times of celebration.”
Caspi also underscored the need to continue focusing on helping the victims of terror. “We are acutely aware of the difficulty and pain of those victims of terror and their families who have had to accept the release of terrorists from prison. Our thoughts go out to these Israelis while we pray for Gilad’s speedy re-entry to life inIsrael.”
“The redemption of captives, along with the supreme value of human life, are among the most important teachings in Judaism. We empathize with the Israeli government over the difficult choices it was forced to make in agreeing to this deal, but we are also overjoyed of the news that Gilad Shalit may now be heading home to his parents and loved ones, and back with the People of Israel.”
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Preceding provided by the Jewish Federations of North America