Olmert, Netanyahu vow not to forget Schalit

Gilad's parents attend Knesset plenum, lobby party faction heads to remember him during elections.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF
Gilad Noam Schalit 298.8 (photo credit: AP [file])
Gilad Noam Schalit 298.8
(photo credit: AP [file])
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised the parents of captive soldier Gilad Schalit on Monday that in spite of his lame duck status he would continue to work hard to free their son, who has been held by Hamas in Gaza since June 2006. Gilad's parents Noam and Aviva sat in the visitors gallery as Olmert addressed the first plenum of the winter session. The Schalits had spent the day in the Knesset lobbying party faction heads not to forget their son during the coming election season. While they did not meet with Olmert, he told them and the plenum that "not a day goes by that I do not deal with this issue of the fate of Gilad Schalit... As in the past, I will not go into details, or provide explanations and will not enter into argument with all those concerned about Gilad's fate... I will continue to work quietly, patiently, with determination as I have done until now, even if, unfortunately, his merciless captors still refuse to release him," said Olmert. Opposition leader, Likud Party head Binyamin Netanyahu also spoke of the importance of freeing Gilad. "I want to say in all of our names, we won't forget Gilad. We will not fail to continue to work for his release... He is a soldier who belongs to everyone. He could also be everyone's son... I hope that he will return to us healthy and whole as fast as possible," said Netanyahu. Then, turning to Olmert, he said, "Mr. Prime Minister, if only that could be before the elections." Speaking with The Jerusalem Post after the plenum, Noam said that while he was struck by what Netanyahu said, what was important was results and not warm words. "We do not want Gilad to be forgotten during the elections," said Schalit. He did not meet with the Arab parties, he said, but all the other factions except for Meretz signed a letter which he gave them on behalf of his son. Outside the Knesset, members of the campaign to free Schalit rallied on the young man's behalf. They set up 120 white plastic chairs to represent the 120 parliamentarians. Each chair was designated for a parliamentarian and had a photograph attached. In front of the chairs, one of the protesters sat in a small black cage to represent Schalit in captivity. But the only MK who actually showed up was National Religious Party Chairman Zevulun Orlev.