Gilad in Melbourne
GILAD Shalit told a capacity crowd at the Peninsula function centre in the Docklands on Wednesday that he was humbled by the support from the Australian Jewish community and Jewish communities around the world during his time as a Hamas captive.
GILAD Shalit told a capacity crowd at the Peninsula function centre in the Docklands on Wednesday that he was humbled by the support from the Australian Jewish community and Jewish communities around the world during his time as a Hamas captive.
“Despite the loneliness I experienced during the years of my captivity, I drew strength from the knowledge that the Jewish people throughout the world were with me and were working to secure my release,” he said.
Speaking at a United Israel Appeal Victoria Women’s Division event on Wednesday morning, Shalit – who was released in 2011 after five-and-a-half years as a Hamas hostage – thanked the Australian Jewish community for “believing in him” during his imprisonment.
“It is because of this strength, and the strength of this community, that I’m here today.
“I want to thank all of you for keeping me in your hearts during those long and difficult years … Each day is a new day and I look to the future with all the happiness.”
Also speaking at the event were Victoria Premier Ted Baillieu and veteran Israeli journalist Alon Ben-David.
Baillieu drew on the parallels between Australia and Israel and recalled his time in Israel, where he said he signed a petition to free Shalit.
“It is a great pleasure to have Gilad here, to know he has been released and we welcome him, not just in his own right, as we welcome all Israeli citizens, but we welcome him particularly as a young Israeli with determination, passion and commitment to the future,” Baillieu said.
Ben-David said he was “extremely delighted” to be in the presence of Shalit, whose story he had been reporting on for more than five years.
“It’s always heartwarming to find such a committed, supportive and proud community like the Jewish community here,” Ben-David said.
“For five-and-a-half years, Gilad was a son of ours. His absence was felt in every Israeli home and in many Jewish homes around the world,” he continued.
“I’ve been personally covering him for five-and-a-half years, but I met him here in Australia for the first time. It’s so good to see him smiling and well and with us, and I thank you for all your support throughout those tough years that eventually got to his release.”
Ben-David went on to speak about the matters concerning Israel, including the Ben Zygier tragedy, unrest in Syria and a nuclear Iran.
UIA’s major campaign period is still on. To enquire about attending a function, call Melbourne (03) 9272 5533 or Sydney (02) 9361 4273.
ADAM KAMIEN
Gilad Shalit (Photo: Henry Benjamin)
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