(Jpost).Noam Schalit, father of captive IDF soldier Gilad Schalit, appeared before the UN fact-finding mission on Operation Cast Lead conflict on Monday. During his address in Geneva, Schalit took the opportunity to speak directly to the people of Gaza and "in particular, to the people holding [my son] Gilad."
Schalit blasted Hamas for the "violent abduction" and "continued detention" and claimed that Gilad's capture was "a violation of international law." He went on to that say "the refusal to allow the Red Cross access to him, if not a war crime, is at least a gross act of inhumanity and an aggravating situation."
Gilad Schalit was kidnapped in June 2006 by Gaza terrorists in a cross-border raid which also killed two IDF soldiers. He has been held in the Gaza Strip for the past three years.
Schalit questioned the purpose of the UN mission headed by Richard Goldstone, while praising its powers, saying, "Is it really to lay the foundation for a future criminal prosecution? Or is it, perhaps, to effect reconciliation? ...[my son's] release - which is within your powers to promote - will bring about such a reconciliation."
Referring to the Gaza population and the recent IDF operation in the Strip, Schalit said, "I come neither to condemn nor to justify the recent Israeli operations in Gaza. I am not a politician nor do I care for politics. I am a civilian and a father of three."
Concerning Hamas's demands for the release of Palestinian prisoners, Schalit acknowledged that "the return [of]... sons and daughters from captivity...[is] an understandable desire," but said that "the fate of an entire prison population cannot depend on the ransom of one young man."
He added that Hamas issues "demands which ... the Israeli government will never meet."
Schalit went on to say that by holding Gilad, "they hold all of you to ransom... My son's fate is the means through which your leaders distract your attention from the destruction they have brought upon you."
Schalit expressed sympathy for Palestinians suffering from the blockade imposed on Gaza, which has been in effect since Hamas ousted Fatah in a violent coup two years ago, saying, "I know that you are short of food. Some of your loved ones have been killed - women and children, young and innocent. I understand your distress and sympathize with your grief."
He also explained that Gilad's capture was "the trigger for war," a war he said he wished would never have happened, and urged the Gaza population to understand that "the release of [Gilad] is the key to peace and the lifting of the Israeli commercial blockade."
The father appealed to Gazans "as a parent speaking to a multitude of parents", urging them to "understand my family's anguish....I know neither where he is held nor how he fares. Whether he is injured or whether he is even alive."
Of the sporadic negotiations between Israel and Hamas on the release of the captured soldier, Schalit said, "Let not a stalemate in the negotiations prevail over the will of the people. Let not stubbornness triumph over compassion."
Schalit concluded his address with a plea to Hamas to release his son for the sake of "the peace and welfare of your own people," and for the movement's leaders themselves "as statesmen acting with humane intent."