New York, NY, June 25, 2008 … On the second anniversary of the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier into Gaza, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) renewed its call for world leaders and governments to continue to press Hamas for the immediate and unconditional release of Gilad Shalit.

“Two years is long enough.  Gilad Shalit must be freed immediately and reunited with his family,” said Glen S. Lewy, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, National Director.  “If Hamas wants to show the world that it is serious about entering into a more peaceful period with Israel, perhaps no step would be more symbolically or strategically important than the immediate release of Israel’s captured soldier.”

In his letters from captivity, Cpl. Shalit has told his family that he is in poor health and desperately in need of rest and medical attention. 

“World leaders need to reinforce the message to Hamas that enough is enough, and that there is little to gain by holding out any longer against Israel’s efforts to secure his release,” said Messrs. Lewy and Foxman.  “When a life hangs in the balance and a deal is so close, there is no excuse for needlessly prolonging the process and the pain inflicted on Cpl. Shalit’s family.”

ADL expressed appreciation to the government of Egypt for its concerted effort on the initiative to secure the immediate release of Cpl. Shalit and to halt the barrage of rocket fire and mortar attacks from Hamas-controlled territory in Gaza.

“We also express appreciation to President Nicolas Sarkozy of France for his efforts to speed the release of Gilad Shalit as both an Israeli and French citizen,” the ADL leaders said.

More information on Israeli soldiers held captive is available at http://www.adl.org/freethemnow/

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.