Translation of the poster:
A 5-MINUTE DEMONSTRATION FOR
GILAD SCHALIT
.
Just 5 minutes -- but ALL of us!!!
.
On March 15 at 11:00 the whole country
will go out to the street for 5 minutes
to insist that the Government get the boy back!
.
Citizen Kobi Sidi -- kobisidi@gmail.com
.
Some said it was supposed to be a silent demonstration, one minute of silence for each of the almost five years that our young soldier has been held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.The Chief Rabbi recommended praying and reading Psalms, especially the 27th.
.
But I got off the bus just before 11:00 next to a big school in Jerusalem.
All the kids and their teachers were out chanting slogans for Gilad, even with a bullhorn.
The banners say "GILAD IS STILL ALIVE -- http://www.gilad.org/"
The boys held the posters right up to the bus windows to remind the passengers what was happening..
When the first bus driver thought he could keep driving through the busy Yad Sarah junction, the young people sat down on the street. Good for them!
Traffic was backed up back to Mount Herzl, but no one beeped. Some drivers got out and stood to identify with the cause.
.
.
Even private houses had the yellow ribbon and handmade signs to remind us, "Five minutes for Gilad Schalit.".
This whole idea for a popular demonstration was the initiative of one private citizen, Kobi Sidi.
Ynet has interesting details about how he started the idea on Facebook and how he was surprised how quickly support swelled.
.
The Jerusalem Post has a video of Gilad's father (interviewed in English) at another demonstration gathering place, Jerusalem's Paris Square.
.
My own blog has four earlier posts about the work being done by his parents and by the people to free Gilad.
.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if Gilad could be home in time for THIS year's Passover seder . . . .
Wouldn't it be wonderful if Gilad could be home in time for THIS year's Passover seder . . . .
.
What compelling photos, and a compelling story, for sure.
ReplyDeleteWow you got some good snapshots.
ReplyDeleteA great explanation of a tense situation - I hope GOOD news will be reported soon!!
ReplyDeleteOh, very good!
ReplyDeleteadding our prayers to yours!
ReplyDeleteWarm Aloha & Gratitude from Honolulu!
Comfort Spiral
><}}(°>
><}}(°>
That proves that one person CAN make a difference!
ReplyDeleteI hope that you can report good news soon! I'm constantly amazed by the support people can mobilize through Facebook and other social networks. I don't like those sites much, but they are powerful and very useful in that respect.
ReplyDeleteI was in the middle of one of the bridges crossing over the Ayalon Highway into Tel Aviv when it turned 11 and everyone stopped. Most drivers remained in their cars, a few stood, but no one honked or jockeyed for position (well except for one very perplexed and stressed looking lady right behind me who was obviously late and had no idea why the traffic had suddenly come to a screaching halt).
ReplyDeleteI hope Gilad will be able to rejoin his family soon, and feel the love of the country behind him.
-----------------------------------
My photography is available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!
Every human being massacred by terrorists is a hideous loss, but a teenager seems even worse. I wish the Schalits every hope in the world that they will see their son again, but do people truly think he is alive? Has there been any evidence eg letters? sightings?
ReplyDeleteMay it be heard across the whole world, and by those ears in charge. Wishing you all only the very best, hope, patience and a good Wednesday as well.
ReplyDeletedaily athens
How wonderful that everyone is trying so hard to get freedom for this man. I hope it all works.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful thing and some heartwarming photos, but I tend to believe that this will not happen with peaceful means.
ReplyDeleteFriends, thank you all for your concern.
ReplyDeleteHelen, there is the 2009 video of Gilad at http://www.gilad.org/
Click on the small box on the left.
It shows him reading what his captors made him read.
Subtitles in English.
It's simply not fair that one single guy has to pay for this complex and never ending situation. I can't imagine what it must be living like that.
ReplyDeleteThe power of Facebook is unbelievable! The demonstration in Lisbon last saturday started on Facebook too (my sunday post).
I really hope to read good news, very soon. It's unbeliavable he is not yet free.
ReplyDeleteWow, what influence one person can have to get a demonstration going!
ReplyDelete