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WHEREAS, Saturday, June 25, 2011, marked the 5th anniversary of the kidnapping of Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, in a cross border raid on the Israeli side of the Gaza Strip; and,
WHEREAS, since the capture of Gilad Shalit, a dual Israeli and French citizen who was serving in the Israel Defense Forces' Armor Corps and was severely injured in the raid, Hamas has refused to allow Gilad to communicate directly with his family or to receive consular visits or visits from the International Committee of the Red Cross to insure his humane treatment at the hands of his captors, a violation of international humanitarian laws; and,
WHEREAS, a United Nations fact finding mission overseen by Judge Richard Goldstone issued a report in September 2009 explicitly calling for his release, and in spite of diplomatic pressure and gestures of solidarity around the world, Gilad Shalit continues to be held captive by Hamas, a terrorist group. In addition, the 2011 G8 Deauville Declaration, has demanded the release of Shalit; and,
WHEREAS, in spite of support from governments, organizations, human rights groups and religious institutions coming together in a broad based effort to appeal for his release, and in spite of the Israeli government's offers to release hundreds of jailed terrorists in exchange for Gilad Shalit, Hamas refuses to return him to his suffering family; and,
WHEREAS, Gilad's story brings a human element and a personal face to the Israeli Palestinian conflict and must remain at the forefront as the global community strives to achieve peace in the Middle East.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh will join Paris, France, Rome, Italy, Miami, Florida, New Orleans, LA and Baltimore, MD in embracing Gilad Shalit as an honorary citizen, in hopes of bringing attention to his plight. In addition, the Council of the City of Pittsburgh stands in solemn solidarity with parents Noam and Aviva Shalit and siblings, Yoel and ...
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