Marking Shalit’s anniversary
 
DALIA SABLE
AUSTRALIAN’S are being encouraged to mark the third anniversary of Israel Defence Forces (IDF) soldier Gilad Shalit’s capture by wearing blue ribbons and expressing their support online.¬†In Melbourne the Zionist Council of Victoria (ZCV), Hagshama, the Australian Friends of Hebrew University and the Jewish National Fund will also screen a documentary about Shalit, based on his mother Aviva’s recollections.
“We have been moved and impressed with the level of activity, support and concern shown by Melbourne’s Jewish community over this issue,” ZCV executive director Ginette Searle said in the lead-up to the third anniversary.¬†”Despite the passing of time, we encourage community members to wear blue ribbons this coming weekend and continue to hope that soon the Shalit family will be welcoming their son home.”
The documentary, produced and premiered last year, shows the impact the kidnapping had on Shalit’s family, as well as providing an analysis of the strategic and diplomatic issues surrounding the negotiations for his release from his Hamas captors.¬†In addition to the film screening, a page on social networking website Facebook has been created for people to express their solidarity with the Shalit family.¬†
“We hope that, as well as raising consciousness among our own community, this event will be a way of showing solidarity directly to the Shalit family,” Hagshama coordinator Sha’ron Haviv said.¬†”We will be producing a short DVD of the event to send to the family to convey our continued concern and support, even from far-away Melbourne.”
Not-for-profit educational organisation The Israel Group also has an ongoing clock on its website measuring the days, hours, minutes and seconds Shalit has been in captivity.¬†Zionist organisations have maintained their blue ribbon campaign, launched at the time of Shalit’s capture in 2006, with many of the original ribbons still displayed now faded, weathered and threadbare.¬†The documentary will be screened on Monday, June 29, 7pm, at the Classic Cinema. Bookings: (03) 9272 5508.
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