Rabbi Shmully Hecht, Shliach to Yale University in New Haven, CT and rabbinical adviser to the Jewish society at Yale, came up with a unique and innovative way to try and bring about the release of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier who has been held captive by Hamas for over 4 years, by offering $5 million in aid to Gaza for Shalit's freedom.
Shliachs Attempt to Free Gilad Shalit
Rabbi Shmully Hecht, Shliach to Yale University in New Haven, CT and rabbinical adviser to the Jewish society at Yale, came up with a unique and innovative way to try and bring about the release of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier who has been held captive by Hamas for over 4 years, by offering $5 million in aid to Gaza for Shalit’s freedom.
Five Million in Gaza Aid for Release of Gilad Shalit
Millionsforgilad.org is a new humanitarian venture with the sole purpose of ending the four year captivity of a young Israeli and delivering up to five million dollars in humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.
Gilad Shalit was captured in June 2006 by Palestinian militants in a cross-border raid. He was abducted through the Kerem Shalom crossing (in Israel– not in an occupied territory), and has been held as a prisoner in the Gaza Strip by Hamas since then.
Shalit, 19 years old and with the rank of corporal in the IDF’s Armor Corps at the time of his capture, has since been promoted to staff sergeant.He was the first Israeli soldier captured by Palestinian militants since Nachshon Wachsman in 1994. Shalit holds French citizenship, a fact that encouraged France and the European Union to be involved to some extent in efforts to release him. He also received Italian citizenship after his abduction.
Hamas has refused requests from the International Committee of the Red Cross to allow the ICRC to visit Shalit. Several human rights organizations have stated that the terms and conditions of Shalit’s detention are contrary to international humanitarian law. In exchange for his release, Hamas is demanding the release of all female and underage Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, as well as a further 1000 prisoners, a number of which are convicted by Israeli courts on terrorism charges. The United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, which released a report in September 2009, called for Shalit to be released.
The Iranian backed Hamas has the power to release Gilad but has failed to do so. Our pledge to the people of Gaza is five million dollars in aid to be transferred simultaneously with Gilad’s return to his family in Israel. These funds are being made available through the generosity of philanthropists worldwide.
Sign the petition at at our website www.millionsforgilad.org and/or email us for further information or press inquiries at shmully@millionsforgilad.org
genius idea
genius idea, hopefully it works>>>
sheichen hashchunah
How can this campaign accomplish anything more than emboldening our enemies while at the same time discouraging our allies? Will ransoming Gilad Shalit, hashem yishmor sh’yichyeh, further endanger Jews throughout the world? If 5 million dollars is a pittance in comparison to the billions the Arabs receive, is the offering price likely accomplish anything more than provide the opportunity for our enemies to once again sneer and scoff and re-confirm their conviction that we are weak? Will it even tempt them? True, a bounty of 5 million dollars for kidnapping a single Jew is not a bad day’s work but won’t this serve to encourage more of the same and at an increasingly greater price?
What a joke
Its amazing what people are willing to do for a bit of publicity. Why on earth would Hamas, who get billions in aid, release gilad to a half baked chabad “shliach” for a measly five million (if he even would be able to raise it). I’m sure if they wanted money, Hamas could get a lot more from the Israeli government and or wealthy jews around the world. This is a stupid , pathetic publicity stunt. Nebach. Go give a Tanya shiur or do something productive with your time.
Prudence
My only concern is that, if this does succeed, what will stop the reshoyim from capturing more like Gilad and expect millions more as ransom money.
If this is the way to go then why hasn’t Israel offered that sort of monies for Gilad’s release.
Hamas and their ilk are hard core terrorists, and it would be wise to conult with the Israeli authorities before proceeding with paying ransom money, which what this plan effectively is.
Chossid
Two words:
MAHARAM MI-ROTENBERG!
Return
Five Million, no questions asked, with guarenteed safe return to gaza, for anyone who returns him will problably do much better!
my dayah
#2,
You have a point, but 5 mil is cheaper than a war or even the intelligence/negotiating costs to rescue shalit.
You are doing more then anyone has done!
It would be nice if everyone would just show support for this great effort!!! Ask yourself what can I do to help.
Let’s all try to have the discipline or at the least pretend we have it by supporting each other like the people of gaza support each other!
Kulonu BeYachad, KiEchod!