Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) responded, with guarded optimism, to news reports of an impending deal to free Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier who was kidnapped by Hamas in 2006 and has since remained a prisoner in Gaza.  Nadler issued the following statement:

“I am overjoyed to hear that Sgt. Gilad Shalit may soon be free and reunited with his family.  This momentous news comes after five years of darkness, during which Gilad has been kept in illegal captivity and his captors provided almost no information on his condition or whereabouts, in violation of their obligation, through international law, to allow access to the Red Cross and other neutral parties.  Gilad’s kidnapping and imprisonment by Hamas are deeply symbolic of the legal and moral vacuum that currently exists in Gaza.  The possibility that he could soon be safe at home comes as a tremendous comfort to the many of us around the world who have held out hope and awaited his release.”

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