Five Years Have Passed…
He could have been anyone’s kid. By now, he could have earned his BA, with distinctions, traveled the world with his backpack, or could simply be taking a break on his parents’ couch, watching others on TV. Maybe he’d be hanging around with friends thinking of something great and fun to do; something totally “normal,” like going to play tennis, walking on the beach and catching up on Facebook; maybe he’d even become an activist for a cause. And help someone.
But his name is Gil’ad. The last time his parents – or anyone – saw him was June 2006, and not because he is having a fun time hiking through the Machu Picchu or learning meditation in a secluded ashram. Five (5) years have passed since he was on active duty as an IDF soldier, then holding the rank of corporal, and captured by Hamas in a cross-border raid, near the Kerem Shalom crossing in Israel. He has been held prisoner at an unknown location in the Gaza Strip ever since. Every day we get up, eat breakfast, grumble at some piece of news, angry at traffic, complain about work, service at a restaurant, or read a funny email and just gaze aimlessly at the view outside our windows, this kid is sitting in a dungy, dark hole, alone and most likely not well-taken care of, waiting for more than 1800 days for someone to get him out of there.
At the last Israel in the Gardens we played a special song in Gilad Shalit’s honor: Idan Reichel, a favorite of our community, wrote Min’i Kolech MiBechi – “Refrain thy Voice from Weeping” with words inspired by the Biblical prophets for Gilad Shalit’s mom. As renewed negotiations took place earlier this month, we were hoping we’d have to cancel that part of the day. We didn’t. We were hoping we won’t say today: It’s been five years since June 25, 2006. But it has. Time goes by and it turns out, some things are not healed. We ask that we don’t forget.
- by Michal Kohane, Israel Center Director
Related links:
• More information on Gilad Shalit http://giladshalit.fr
• A Family in Captivity – Hebrew Only http://www.megavideo.com/?v=5OF31FI8
• The song with words in Hebrew & English http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI4hD1o5f5Q&feature=related
