Italy stands with Gilad Shalit. We are moved by the cities of Rome, Milan and Turin, Italy. We are grateful.
Rome turned off the floodlights illuminating the ancient Colosseum on June 25 four years after Shalit was taken captive at 11 p.m. (midnight in Israel).
The floodlights were also turned off at the Castello Sforzesco in Milan and the Mole Antonelliano in Turin.
Solidarity!
In Jerusalem, Mayor Nir Barkat ordered the lights around the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem to be turned off.
It is not too late for Mayor John Hickenlooper of Denver to do the same. People of good will around the world will have no moral, emotional, political or other objection to highlighting the plight of a person kidnapped by terrorists and denied every human right even a visit by the International Red Cross.
Is Shalit alive? abused? fed? sleep-deprived? tortured? We do not know. Even if he is treated well physically, he is held against his will, and illegally and brutally cut off from any communication with the outside world, including his own family.
It is time for political leaders around the world including Gov. Bill Ritter to demand of Hamas that Shalit be released unconditionally. Hamas says it will not release him until Israel releases Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails the likes of Marwan Barghouti, who stands convicted of five counts of first-degree murder.
Sorry.
No deal.
One doesnt trade in human beings. To release Shalit for prisoners is just another form of human trafficking. That is the morality of terrorists, not the morality of the likes of Gov. Ritter and of other political leaders around the country.
On the fourth anniversary of Shalits kidnapping, a flotilla for his release has set sail from a New York harbor; a march from Shalits home to Jerusalem has begun; demonstrations around the world have been held.
Denver, and Colorado, must act, too. Dim the lights, Mayor Hickenlooper. Issue the demand for Shalits unconditional release, Gov. Ritter.
