During Chol Hamoed Sukkot, the intermediate days of Sukkot in Jerusalem,
huge crowds gather at the Kotel, the Western Wall,
for Birchat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing.
They stand in long lines to greet the President at his annual sukkah open house.
However, this year all media attention has been on the return of Gilad Shalit.
1000 days after he was kidnapped on June 25, 2006,
a night-time rally was held by a tent in Jerusalem
that was erected near the Prime Minister’s official residence.
At first
it was a simple affair,
staffed with one or two volunteers
and some banners.
Then July 2010,
the Shalit family walked to Jerusalem from their home in Mitzpe Hila
and took up “residence” in the tent and a small food area was added.
Real floors were installed on top of the sidewalks
and the kitchen was upgraded.
Deliveries to feed the growing numbers of workers were increased.
The numbers of yellow ribbons, flags and photographers increased.
Being photographed inside the tent with the Shalits
or broadcasting outside became a media priority.
Tee shirt sales were booming.
Runners in the Jerusalem marathon carried Gilad Shalit flags.
Additional signs were installed across the street.
Schools from around the world posted signs of support
and were among the hundreds of busloads of visitors.
The tent was insulated for winter.
In the summer, sitting outside was often more comfortable to receive visitors.
With the “5 minutes of silence for 5 years of captivity” campaign, Noam Shalit
received extensive media attention for the Free Gilad Shalit campaign.
Dozens of photographers looked for a winning shot.
TV news did live broadcast as the busy intersection came to a stop.
The next day the Shalits checked the papers to see how the event was reported.
Then on day 1934 of captivity,
it was announced that a prisoner exchange had been agreed upon.
Gilad Shalit was coming home.
The family returned to their home, the tent was emptied and closed.
Today the Shalit family and much of the country is euphoric.
Everyone wanted Gilad Shalit home, after his 1941 days held in isolation in Gaza..
But there is another side of the street… at what price?
The counter protests were small, but sincere.
Many family members of victims of terror feel betrayed as their loved ones’
killers are set free.
Is a deal that releases multiple mass murderers who are determined to kill again,
really good for the country?
