Jimmy Carter "refused to meet" soldier's family

Radio Israel has reported that former US President Jimmy Carter rejected a request for a meeting with the family of Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier held by Palestinian resistance factions in Gaza. Mr. Carter is heading a delegation of former world statesmen, known as The Elders, on a visit to the Palestinian territories and the wider region.

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Sergeant Shalit’s father, Noam, told Radio Israel that the ex-President said “he does not have time for this”. His son’s situation, he added, is “still the same – there’s nothing new”. Mr. Shalit is pessimistic, with Israeli and international efforts to free his son carrying on “but to no avail”.
The Elders’ delegation has visited Gaza and occupied Jerusalem to hear complaints about Israel’s Judaisation policies and violations of human rights in the Holy City.