Gilad Shalit Release

Gilad Shalit returns to Israel

It is with a sense of relief and joy that we share the news of Gilad Shalit’s release from more than five years in captivity. Gilad Shalit’s arrival home is long-awaited news for his family, for the people of Israel, and for those around the world who never gave up hope for his safe return from Gaza, where Hamas had held him in unimaginably harsh conditions and deprived him of visits by the International Red Cross.

We know that the government and people of Israel have made painful sacrifices as part of the terms of his release and our hearts go out to all citizens of Israel, particularly to those who have directly suffered the impact of Palestinian terror. Israel made a decision of extraordinary nobility, choosing to risk future dangers at the hands of an implacable enemy to save one human life today. Jewish tradition teaches that 'He who saves one life has saved the world.'

We express our gratitude to Prime Minster Netanyahu and the government of Israel and acknowledge the critical roles of the German and Egyptian governments in brokering these difficult negotiations.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Shalit family as they are reunited with their son.

May the Israel Defense Forces remain strong and the people of Israel soon know the peace that they yearn for and deserve.”