Letter campaign for Shalit launched

A global campaign to send birthday greetings to captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit has been launched.

The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations is asking people to send greetings to Shalit for his 24th birthday, Aug. 28. The greetings will be presented to national Red Cross affiliates to be passed on to the International Committee of the Red Cross for delivery to Shalit.

Shalit, who was taken captive in a cross-border raid more than four years ago, is presumed to be held in Gaza by captors who have not allowed him any visits by the Red Cross or any other humanitarian group. After Sukkot, the Conference of Presidents said, it will make a symbolic presentation to the Red Cross asking it to intercede with Hamas and allow a humanitarian visit.

Supporters may send Shalit birthday greetings through Giladgreetings.org. A billboard calling for Shalit’s release will be put up in Times Square for the week before Rosh Hashanah, which begins Sept. 8, the Conference of Presidents said. — jta