The European Parliament has called for the immediate release of captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The resolution passed the European Union body March 11 by a majority vote.
The Parliament members signed a letter that demands Shalit be released and protests against Hamas’ government in the Gaza Strip, according to Israel’s Ha’aretz newspaper.
The letter also called for the “substantial release of Palestinian prisoners” by Israel, as well as for Israel to “lift restrictions
on family visits and to guarantee that detention conditions of all Palestinian prisoners are in accordance with international conventions, including the Geneva Conventions,” according to Ynet.
Hamas captured Shalit, a dual French-Israeli citizen, in a cross-border raid in June 2006. He reportedly is being held in Gaza. — jta