San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee declared Aug. 28 Gilad Shalit Day in the city. The proclamation marked the 25th birthday of the kidnapped Israeli soldier, held by Hamas terrorists for more than five years.
The statement read in part: “We join with the United Nations, the Red Cross, the Palestinian Authority, Israel and the United States Department of State in calling for [Shalit’s] immediate release.”
That same day, activists with StandWithUs/San Francisco held “Free Gilad” banners and signs atop the I-80/University Avenue overpass in Berkeley.
Abducted on June 25, 2006 from within Israeli territory in an unprovoked attack that also killed two soldiers and wounded five others, Shalit has been denied all access to the outside world. Hamas has refused all humanitarian organizations’ requests to visit Shalit.
On Aug. 26, a group of prominent American Muslims issued a letter addressed to Hamas chairman Khaled Mashaal, asking for Shalit’s immediate release. Signatories include the two Muslim members of Congress — Reps. Keith Ellison, (D-Minn.) and André Carson (D-Ind.) — as well as Muslim academics and community leaders.
“We believe Hamas’ harsh treatment and five-year detention of Shalit is wrong,” the letter read. “Hamas’ inhumane detention of Shalit undermines the Palestinian people’s legitimate aspirations for human rights and a state of their own, existing in peace and security beside Israel.”