After the meeting, Yoel Shalit joined a rally outside UN headquarters in Geneva, where 500 people demanded freedom for Gilad.
Yoel Shalit Speech:
"Hello
I would like to start by thanking you all for coming here today to support my brother Gilad and our family.
Gilad was captured while participating in a military defense mission in the territory of Israel. Terrorists dug a tunnel, infiltrated the border and used the morning mist to launch an attack on Gilad's tank. Two of his crewmembers were killed and he was dragged injured into the Gaza strip. I'd like to remind you that the date of the kidnap, June twenty fifth 2006, was nearly a year after the Israeli disengagement from the Gaza strip.
Gilad is being held for one thousand, five hundred and fifty six days by the terror organization Hamas, that denies Gilad visits and other basic human rights. We have no information whatsoever about the conditions in which Gilad is being held.
Almost a year has gone by since we received the last sign of life from Gilad. We received a videotape, in which he appears to be physically functioning, but he was very pale, very thin and his eyes were sunken and black. This is not the same Gilad who left home more than 4 years ago.
My family and I went on a twelve day long protest march across Israel, with more than one hundred and seventy thousands supporting citizens all the way from our home in the north to the capital of Israel, to Jerusalem. Three months have gone by since the march was over and we are sitting everyday, all day, in front of our Prime Ministers residence, demanding that the Israeli government will act with determination to quickly release my brother.
Our activities are mainly in Israel, however we believe that a joint international effort should be taken. Gilad's call for help is addressed to all free nations of the world fighting for justice and human rights.
We ask the Red Cross and all international humanitarian organizations who work for prisoners of war to help us and act more decisively for Gilad.
At the end of June this year we entered the fifth year of Gilad's captivity and we are determined to make it the last! My mom has asked me to say on her behalf that we all appreciate your support and ask you to join our uncompromising struggle for the rescue of Gilad's life.
Each and everyone of us has the ability to make a small change, and all of us together can make a big difference and help to release my brother.
Thank you!"
