Statement on Gilad Shalit's release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2011

Contact:
Jeremy Burton
617-456-8600

The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston celebrates reports of the impending release of Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been held captive by Hamas since 2006.

Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist organization that controls the Gaza Strip, kidnapped Shalit in a cross-border raid on Israeli territory in 2006. He has been held in an unknown location within Gaza since then without contact with his family, Israeli officials, or the International Red Cross. These conditions were blatantly contrary to international standards of human rights and the Geneva Conventions.

We congratulate Prime Minster Netanyahu and the government of Israel for their adherence to the Jewish principle of Pidyon Shevuyim, the redemption of the captive, even under these difficult circumstances. We also express our gratitude to the governments of Germany and Egypt for their role in brokering these difficult negotiations. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Shalit family as they await the reunion with their son.

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