By Martin Banks - 18th October 2011
Galid's case was felt even more strongly as he is both an Israeli and a European citizen
Jerzy Buzek
Parliament's president Jerzy Buzek has welcomed the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Speaking on Tuesday, the MEP said, "We have been waiting for this news for too long. I am glad to hear about Gilad's peaceful and mutually agreed release."
His comments come after Hamas handed over Shalit to Egyptian mediators after five years' captivity as part of a prisoner swap deal with Israel.
More than 1000 Palestinian prisoners are also due to be freed. The first 477 are being released on Tuesday.
Shalit was seized in 2006 by Hamas militants who tunnelled into Israel.
The EU is also expected to formally endorse the deal on humanitarian grounds with EU foreign relations chief Catherine Ashton recently saying, "I warmly welcome the news that Gilad Shalit will soon be able to return home after five years of captivity, putting an end to the long ordeal that he and his family have endured."
The move was also welcomed by Buzek, who said, "During his five years in captivity parliament, and European citizens, have never forgotten Shalit's plight and have been using every occasion to call for his immediate release.
"Galid's case was felt even more strongly as he is both an Israeli and a European citizen.
"I have myself personally supported Gilad's release. I have met his father in Strasbourg in 2010 and have used every official opportunity during my official visits to the Middle East to show sympathy and support for his case."
The deputy went on, "Only last week, I have opened together with Reuven Rivlin, speaker of the Knesset, an exhibition in parliament to remember Gilad's case.
"Only twenty-four hours after the exhibition, the news came of the agreement to release Gilad Shalit.
"It was an exhibition of illustrations to a story which Gilad wrote when he was a young boy. It was not only an opportunity for MEPs to show that we did not forget Gilad, and reiterate the call for his release; the story was also a reminder that goodwill can overcome even the deepest differences and prejudices.
"Gilad's personal story is a testimony to the idea that we must not lose faith in the pursuit of reconciliation, even if this requires some hard compromises and negotiations.
"As we rejoice that Gilad Shalit is back with his family and beloved ones, we see yet another proof that 2011 is truly an annus mirabilis."
