True Freedom Flotilla sails up East River to protest “siege” against Shalit
Hundreds of Gilad Shalit supporters joined the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations on the “True Freedom Flotilla” to raise awareness that Gilad Shalit remains in captivity, demand that his rights are respected and call for his immediate release.
Two large boats and eight smaller boats participated in the Flotilla, which sailed from the west side of Manhattan, passed the Statue of Liberty, rounded the tip of Manhattan and continued up the East River past the United Nations. Gilad Shalit supporters carried signs and waved flags to boaters and people on shore.
Friday marked the fourth anniversary of Gilad’s kidnapping and more than 1,450 days in which he has been held in total isolation, with no access to the International Red Cross or other humanitarian bodies.
Malcolm Hoenlein (right) and Gabriela Shalev (center) hand a care package for Gilad Shalit to Rosemary Mackey of the NY Chapter of the American Red Cross.
“The real siege in Gaza is against Gilad Shalit,” said Conference of Presidents Chair Alan Solow and Executive Vice Chair Malcolm Hoenlein. “According to international law, the Red Cross must be granted access to Gilad Shalit to ensure his well-being. However, no one from the international community has been allowed access to Gilad in order to ensure his welfare or that the conditions in which he is being held are according to international law. Just a week ago, officials from the International Committee of the Red Cross again were refused access to Gilad.”
The Conference of Presidents also provided a humanitarian aid package including food, books, underwear, socks, a sweatshirt and glasses to Rosemary Mackey, a senior official representing the American Red Cross, to be transferred to Gilad. “We have delivered a package of goods to the Red Cross in the hope that they can deliver them to Gilad, in accordance with the Geneva Conventions,” said Solow and Hoenlein.
Meanwhile, in Israel some 10,000 supporters took part in the first half of an 11-day march from the North to Jerusalem to pressure the Netanyahu government to meet Hamas’s demands for Shalit’s release.
The procession is currently in the Haifa area after setting off from Mitzpe Hila. Netanyahu has invited the Shalits to meet with him when they arrive in Jerusalem, but Netanyahu, like Ehud Olmert, has been reluctant to acquiesce to Hamas demands that he free over 1,000 terrorists, many with blood on their hands.
Noam Shalit said that he recognizes the problem, but that after four years, he just wants his son back.
The Obama Administration may help Netanyahu withstand the growing public pressure to engage with Hamas, but for the wrong reasons, say various commentators. They claim the White House is afraid that if Jerusalem capitulates, it would further strengthen Hamas in its rivalry with US-backed Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.
Listings for hotels in Jerusalem and other parts of Israel. No booking fee.
Shofar Info