Noam Shalit, father of Gilad Shalit, the ex-Israel Defense Forces soldier who spent five years in Hamas captivity in Gaza, announced on Monday that he intends to run for a place on the Israel Labor Party list for the next Knesset.

Noam Shalit, who has been a member of the Israel Labor Party since 1996, informed Israel Labor Party chairperson, Shelly Yachimovich, of the decision.

“Following years of a public battle, during which I got to know Israel society deeply, both its beautiful and ethical sides, I have decided to join public life,” he told reporters.

“This is out of a desire to serve the public, and to be in a place from which it is possible to influence the character of Israeli society. The Israel Labor Party is a social-democratic party that is pro-peace, and so it is my natural home. I believe that, under Shelly Yachimovich’s leadership, the Israel Labor Party will be able to do important things for Israeli society,” he said.

Yachimovitch congratulated Shalit, saying, “The battle of Noam Shalit and his family to free GIlad started as a private battle, but turned into a battle that contains within it all the base values of Israeli society: Solidarity, Mutual support and Zionism.”

“Noam’s battle is an example of a worthy public struggle, that is necessary and effective at the same time,” Yachimovich said.

“This battle united the whole of Israeli society around shared values. Noam has been a man of the Israel Labor Party for many years, and I am convinced his contribution as a member of Knesset will be a great one.”

For more, go to Haaretz.com

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