PM Netanyahu Meets with Tzvi Shalit, Grandfather of Gilad Shalit
(Communicated by the Prime Minister’s Media Adviser)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this afternoon (Thursday), 1.12.11, met
with Tzvi Shalit, grandfather of Gilad Shalit, who thanked the Prime
Minister and told him: "You saved my grandson for me. In the current
situation in the region, it would have been impossible to return him." Tzvi
Shalit conveyed Gilad's personal thanks for the Prime Minister's efforts to
secure his release from captivity; it was agreed that the two would meet.

When Prime Minister Netanyahu asked about Gilad's health, Tzvi Shalit
replied that, "Gilad has put on weight. He really is back to normal." The
Prime Minister gave Tzvi Shalit the flag that New York City Mayor Michael
Bloomberg brought to Israel, and which had been flown in the US in
solidarity with the Shalit family.