Three Years of Waiting: Gilad Shalit

Gilad Shalit

Update: The post below was originally written in June and the situation remains the same. On August 26 we are having another Twitter campaign to call attention to Gilad Shalit’s 23rd birthday, his fourth in captivity.

Three years ago today, 19-year-old soldier Gilad Shalit was abducted in a cross-border raid. Since then he is being held by Hamas in Gaza. No one knows his condition, because contrary to international law no neutral organization has been allowed to pay him a humanitarian visit. No official message has even been relayed to his family.

Paula of A Soldier’s Mother has declared today “Gilad Awareness Day.” Here are some of her ideas:

1. If you are on Twitter – please post about Gilad and use the hashtags #Gilad – our goal is to get Gilad to the top of the Trend Tracker. This has been very effective with the Iranian protesters, gaining them tremendous international attention on all major media. Please, let’s do the same for Gilad – this Thursday! Tweet for Gilad! You can follow me at @ASoldiersMother or write to me and I can send you an avatar (picture to use on Twitter) that says FREE GILAD – we are asking people to change their avatar for Thursday (one day) for Gilad. What this means is that you can add #Gilad TO ALL YOUR TWEETS, no matter the subject.
2. In the US, write, phone, or fax your representatives. Elsewhere in the world? Please do the same with your leaders.
3. If you are on Facebook or LinkedIn, please email your contacts – Thursday must be Gilad Awareness Day!
4. If you are a teacher – mention Gilad in school. Have your children write letters to government leader and to Gilad’s family.
5. Write to newspapers and media; call in to radio shows and local news. Organize an event and ask for a speaker to come. If you have a lawyer in your community, ask him to come speak on international laws related to prisoners. If you have a Red Cross office – write to them and ask what they are doing to see Gilad.

Any other ideas? Please share with us.

For more information and to record a video in support of Gilad, see Gilad1095.

Image courtesy of Shalit family, via Wikipedia.