JERUSALEM (JTA) — Demonstrators at a pro-Israel rally in Norway called for the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
More than 4,000 Christian supporters of Israel participated in Sunday’s rally, which is being called the largest pro-Israel rally ever held in Norway, according to the rally organizer, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.
The participants called on the government of Norway and the International Red Cross to secure the release of Shalit, who was captured by Hamas in a cross-border raid three years ago.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre recently opened contact with Hamas.
A letter of appeal delivered to the government noted that Norway currently chairs the forum of donor nations to the Palestinians and should use its leverage in that capacity to free Shalit.
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