December 11, 2009 / 24 Kislev 5770

Demands in Argentina for Gilad Shalit’s Release

The Jewish community in Argentina presented on December 10th, UN International Human Rights Day to the Red Cross a request for visitation rights to the kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The Argentinean delegation was made up of AMIA’s and DAIA’s Presidents, Jewish Agency representatives, and representatives from local Jewish institutions. The famous Argentinean born Israeli soap opera TV producer Yair Dori was also present.

The Jewish community in Argentina presented to the Red Cross a request for visitation rights to the kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.

Michel Minning, Representative of the Red Cross International Committee for South America received the delegation representing the Jewish Community in Argentina with the request for visitation rights to the Israeli soldier.

Rony Steinitz, Regional Director of the Jewish Agency for Israel in Latin America said “Shalit is a prisoner of war and since he was abducted, nobody has been allowed to visit him; and this is an essential function of the Red Cross: visiting prisoners. So I ask them to do their best effort and visit him”.

The delegation presented , together with children from Jewish schools, more than 6000 postcards signed –mainly- by members of Jewish communities across the country.

Yair Dori, the prominent Argentinean born Israeli soap opera producer, was also a member of the delegation. Steinitz said that “Dori’s presence has an added value because he was an Israeli prisoner of war in Egypt in 1970, for one year, however he did receive visits from the Red Cross while he was abducted”.

“Our deepest wish is that by Friday, the day on which Hanukka begins, Shalit will be home lightening the first candle with his family. That is our wish and we pray for it. If it comes true, we’ll be enormously happy”, said Steinitz.

From right to left: Michel Minning senior representative of the International Red Cross Committe for South America and Rony Steinitz, Jewish Agency Regional Director for Latin America and pupils from Jewish Day Schools in Buenos Aires who presented the postcards in support of Gilad Shalit

Photo Credit: Leo Kremenchuzky