Shalom Friends,

Last week we were in Canada – Shlomo Goldwasser, Tzvi Regev and I – for meetings with Members or Parliament, ministers, government officials, Jewish community leaders and members, radio and television stations. Even though a representative of the Shalit family could not join us, we also spoke in their name, and updated everyone we met about the facts of Gilad Shalit's situation.

The visit – an initiative of the exemplary organization UIA of Canada and of the leaders of the Canadian Jewish community, was organized in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Mr. Victor Yagoda and his staff. There are no words to express our gratitude – we can only give our continual praise and thanks.

We were in Canada for four days and visited Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. The most appropriate slogan for our trip is "A cold land – a warm community," as the temperatures in Canada were in negative degrees, but the people were overwhelmingly warm and supportive. In a cold land covered in snow, we were embraced by a warm and caring Jewish community displaying signs of support, drawings, petitions, and even raised funds to help us with our cause.

Our general impressions are that the visit carried great importance for the Canadian community as well – especially because it was an opportunity to raise international awareness about the importance of humanitarian rights.

Canada is clearly a strong supporter of Israel and is strengthening its reputation within the western world as a true supporter of and friend. Every place we visited, they emphasized the unity of the Jewish people and their dedication to our cause. We did not encounter a single dissenting voice; rather, everyone we encountered overwhelmed us with their great support.

We left the community and its committed leaders with concrete assignments to advance our continued struggle and to ensure the promises we were given during our visit are carried out; to ensure that our cause remains on the public agenda; that pictures of our boys are constantly displayed; and that interviews are constantly aired, until Udi, Eldad and Gilad return home.

We thank you all for your support, translations, hospitality and help in bringing our important message to community and government representatives and to the local and national media.

Omri Avni
Father of Karnit Goldwasser