"For you, Gilad"

A Soldier's Mother has a ticker on her site. It is a daily reminder of how long Gilad Shalit has not been home. Today Gilad has been a prisoner for 1,417 days. That is 1,417 days that Gilad's parents have worried about the fate of their son.

Last week, Gilad's dad Noam released a video, and Israeli Soldier's mum had this to say:

Monday, May 3, 2010

Noam Shalit speaks on Gilad

This YouTube video was posted in honor of Israel's 62nd Independence Day...a day in which Gilad was not free, was not independent. This is a day on which we celebrated, knowing it was a day that Gilad's family continued to suffer.

Please take a moment and listen to Noam...who wonders what Gilad is thinking and feeling as he remains in complete isolation...almost four years into his captivity in Gaza.

"For you Gilad" - his father says...their lives have been dedicated to seeking Gilad's freedom. "We are fighting for his rights according to international law. For us... a night is not a night; a holiday is not a holiday...until he returns home....

Please go over and watch the video here.

Yesterday, Russia weighed in on this situation, which has to be one of every parent's nightmare:

Page last updated at 17:22 GMT, Tuesday, 11 May 2010 18:22 UK

Russian President calls for release of Gilad Shalit

Mr Medvedev is the first Russian head of state to visit Syria in decades

The president of Russia has called for Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier held by the Islamist movement Hamas, to be freed "as soon as possible".

President Dmitry Medvedev made the call while meeting Hamas leaders in Damascus, Syria, his spokeswoman said.

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal reportedly said they would only consider releasing the soldier when Israel resumed talks to free Palestinian prisoners.

Sgt Shalit, 23, was captured in a raid into Israel by militants in 2006.

Talks to free the soldier in return for a number of Palestinian prisoners broke down last year.

"The Russian president urged solving the problem of releasing Israeli citizen Gilad Shalit as soon as possible," spokeswoman Natalya Timakova said.

Russia is the only country that has direct dialogue with Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the Gaza Strip.

Hamas want hundreds of Palestinians held by Israel, including senior militant leaders that Israel holds responsible for the deaths of dozens of Israeli citizens, to be freed in exchange for Sgt Shalit's release....

There is more here.

I am on the record as saying that not one dime in aid should go to Gaza - Hamas - unless and until Hamas releases Gilad. It really IS that simple - for Gilad.