Schalit protest tent in J'lem defaced by vandals

Life-sized cardboard figure of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Schlalit stolen; surrounding signs damaged, torn; family condemns vandalism.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Published: OCTOBER 29, 2010 14:15
Schalit tent vandalism 311 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Schalit tent vandalism 311
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Vandals defaced the Schalit family protest tent stationed near the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem and stole a life-size figure of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Schalit overnight Thursday.
The vandals also reportedly removed, defaced and tore signs that were hanging around the tent.
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The protest tent display included a black booth fenced with barbed wire, with a cardboard figure of Gilad portrayed in a prison cell. According to suspicions, the vandals arrived at night, broke through the barbed wire and stole the cardboard figure.
Following the incident, the Jerusalem police launched an investigation.
The Schalit family members do not sleep in the tent, but sometimes young supporters are present at night. When the family arrived this morning, they were shocked at what they discovered.
In response to the incident, the family released a statement saying, "The Schalit family condemns the vandalism and cowardice which was perpetuated overnight in the protest tent near the Prime Minister's residence by those who are apparently bothered by our presence and struggle in support of Gilad and would like to see Gilad abandoned to his fate with his Hamas captors. The family will continue to sit in the protest tent in front of the Prime Minister's residence with an uncompromising demand to bring Gilad home immediately and end the four-and-a-half years of darkness in Hamas captivity."