Free Gilad Shalit

On Tuesday I joined over 200 men and women in a bus rally through the streets of Jozi in aid of Gilad Shalit.

Gilad Shalit

Gilad was abducted on 25 June 2006, just over 4 years ago.  Thats 1531 days ago, 1531 days without medical attention, Red Cross visits, humanitarian aid, 1531 days away from his mother and father, his brother, his friends, his LIFE!

You can read about his abduction here.

Our rally on Tuesday was to help bring a spotlight to the fact that the terrorists who have taken this young man have not let even the International Red Cross have any kind of access to Gilad.  After our rally we heard from Yaara Winker, fiancée of Gilads brother and we handed over a memorandum to the South African Red Cross representatives, Reverend Jones and Director of Red Cross SA, Nathan Banda, asking them to help get medical attention and basic human rights to Gilad.

The plight of Gilad Shalit really hits home for me, my brother is a soldier in the IDF and I would like to think that should something happen to him people from all over the world would band together to see his safe return just as they do every single day for Gilad!

Media Team Israel spokesperson, Rolene Marks, live on air to Chai FM
Yaara Winker
Chairman of the SAZF, Avrom Krengel handing over the memorandum to Red Cross SA representatives Reverend Jones and Nathan Banda
Some of the over 200 people getting ready to board the open topped buses

Man in Uniform

My brother sent us some pictures of his new uniform.

Usually he would be clean shaven but it is the Omer, a time of mourning, so he cant shave at the moment.

In the army now…

This week my brother Matthew started his basic training in the IDF (Israeli Defense Force).  He has been living in Israel for over three years and has been waiting for his army duty to start.  I am so proud of him.  Not only for doing his duty as an Israeli citizen and a Zionist but for making the move to Israel, for growing up and taking responsibility for himself (he is only 23).

I love him so much and miss him terribly and now add worry about him to the list.

I really do have two very special and amazing brothers, a soldier and a police reservist.

Matt and Cliff at my wedding, Feb 2006
Matt and Cliff at my wedding, Feb 2006