Noam Shalit, the father of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, called on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Thursday evening to complete a deal for the release of his son. In an address to the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations at the Diaspora House (Beit Hatfutzot) in Tel Aviv, Shalit told the prime minister, "to demonstrate courageous leadership and execute what's expected of a leader - create a decision."

Shalit added, "Even if difficult decisions are demanded, even if decisions involving risks are demanded, Gilad - who was sent on a mission almost four years ago, and has been rotting since then in a Hamas jail - must be returned home without delay.