Hundreds of people took part in the motzei Shabbos rally marking Gilad Shalit�s 1000th day in Hamas captivity held outside the family vigil tent opposite the Prime Minister�s Residence in Yerushalayim. Somberly waving light sticks in the air, they sang together in a sign of support for the parents, Noam and Aviva, as well as a expressing their hope that Gilad will indeed walk the path of freedom in the near future.

�It has been 1,000 days and night since Gilad was taken captive� stated Noam, who called on the outgoing administration to use the remaining time in office to arrange for Gilad�s release.

Also present was Azzam Azzam, who spent eight years in Egyptian captivity after being convicted of spying for Israel. Azzam sent a message to Gilad, to �remain strong�, adding �you do not know how much is being done on your behalf and realize, the day will come and you will return home�.

Another speaker, Meir Shalev, also addressed the forum, stating �it has also been 1,000 days of empty promises and time lost,� echoing the Shalit�s call to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to use the remaining two weeks in office to do everything possible to bring Gilad home.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)