Noam Schalit on Monday told Labor leader Shelly Yacimovich that he will
run for a place on the Labor Party list in the next elections.
Referring
to the long battle for his son Gilad's release, Noam said, "after
years of public struggle, in which I was privileged to get to to know
the moral and beautiful
sides of Israeli society, I have decided to join the public service."
RELATED:Noam Schalit: Gilad underwent difficult things in captivity'Terrorists must understand kidnapping don't pay'Explaining his motives for the career change, he said, "this is
out of desire to serve the public, and to be in a place from which I can
influence Israeli society's image. The Labor Party is a social
democratic party, and a proponent of peace; therefore, it is my natural
home."
Putting his faith in the Labor leader Noam added, "I believe that with Shelly Yacimovich's leadership, the Labor party will
be able to make important steps for Israeli society."
Yacimovich welcomed the announcement: "The struggle of Noam Schalit
and his family for Gilad's release began as a private struggle, but
evolved into a struggle that encapsulates the core values of Israel
society: solidarity, mutual support and Zionism."
"Noam's struggle is a model of a public campaign that was appropriate
and restrained, but at the same time determined and effective. In this
struggle, the entire Israeli society united around common values," she
continued.
Noam will not have to apply to join the Labor Party as he has been a registered member since 1996.
In reference to his membership, Yacimovich said, "Noam has been a Labor
Party man for many years, and I'm sure that he will make a great
contribution to Labor as an MK."
Defense Minister Ehud Barak welcomed Schalit's decision to run for the Labor Party list, Channel 10 news reported Monday.
"Any force that enters politics is welcomed," the defense minister said
after a short pause. "Israeli society is full of creative powers."
Barak was chair of the Labor Party before splitting last year to form his own Independence Party with four other MKs.