BICOM

Noam Shalit, whose soldier son Gilad was held captive in Gaza for over five years, announced yesterday that he will run for a place on the Labour list in Israel’s next election, the party leader’s website reported.

“After years of a public struggle, during which I became deeply acquainted with Israeli society, its beauty and values, I have decided to join public activity,” he wrote in a statement published on Shelly Yachimovich’s website.

Shalit, who Yachimovich said has been a member of the party since 1996, gained public awareness during a long battle seeking the release of his son, who was captured by Hamas in a 2006 cross-border raid. Gilad was released last October as part of a prisoner exchange that saw Israel free 1,027 Palestinian prisoners.

Shalit’s announcement comes a day after popular veteran Israeli television presenter Yair Lapid announced his entry into politics, with polls predicting a breakthrough for a party he plans to set up and lead in elections.

The moves by Lapid and Shalit have fuelled speculation that PM Netanyahu is planning to bring forward Israel’s general election, currently scheduled for late 2013.