A wooden tank used in the Free Gilad Shalit campaign left the soldier�s home in Givat Hila on Wednesday, beginning its tour of the country. Reserve duty battalion commander Yariv Sagi arranged for the tank, affixing a declaration to the outside documenting Gilad�s date of birth and captivity in addition to a call to all people of all regions and race to join in the battle for Gilad�s release, a document referred to by Mr. Shalit as �Gilad�s Declaration of Independence�. The tank is carried on the back of a flatbed truck. Gilad marks his 1,396th day in captivity today.

By sending an SMS text message from one�s cellular telephone, at a cost of NIS 4, one signs the declaration and also activates a system sending emails on Gilad�s behalf to 50 embassies and consulates around the world on his behalf. The money collected by the SMS campaign is dedicated to the ongoing struggle to gain the soldier�s release.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)