Yom HaAtzmaut was not Independence Day for the most thought-of person in Israel today: Gilad Shalit. It was just Day 1,780. And counting.

A shout away from the Prime Minister’s house is the Tent — Ohel Shalit — the power center of daily advocacy for Gilad’s release, led by his parents, Noam and Aviva. The surrounds are busy with speeches and vigils, poems and petitions, bumper stickers, t-shirts, life-size Shalit stand-ups, and a haunting makeshift prison cell. All walks of Israeli society come by, and lately a surge of summer tour groups from abroad. They account for the thousands of yellow ribbons tied to Jerusalem’s trees, fences and fixtures. It’s been a non-stop campaign for nearly five years. And counting.

Inside, the tent is usually quiet. Mostly, people stare at well-designed and homespun posters, or keep eyes down. Others whisper psalms and prayers. Some nervously make small-talk, or awkwardly speak words of comfort and support, strength and sorrow to Shalit family members. On Day 1,786, I came in to ask Noam Shalit a few questions.

What would you like to see American do at home? NS:

The arena is here, in Israel. But last year, both houses of Congress passed resolutions calling for Gilad’s immediate release and respect for his human and legal rights. Why does the U.S. administration ignore the resolutions? Gilad is a hostage held by the Hamas in violation of all international law. We don’t know where he is. The Red Cross isn’t even allowed to visit him. There’s no contact. What about his human rights? The Administration should be taking action on the Palestinian Authority for his human rights, for his release. And especially now that Hamas is part of the PA. Americans should be contacting their leaders and asking why they are not enforcing the resolutions.”

If the Red Cross or another agency could visit Gilad, what message from you would you want them to give him? NS:

Now, they don’t visit. So I can’t say. I can’t even think about that now. First, we need to work, to know that there will be a visit. Then I’ll have time for that.”

How do you and Aviva stay strong through this ordeal? NS:

What choice do we have? There is no other way for us. It helps us that all these people you see come by and visit us and support us. And they’re making their voices for Gilad’s release heard by the government and the world. They’re not letting Gilad be forgotten. That’s what supports us.”

As we finished our conversation, Aviva Shalit was seated before a knot of well-wishers, knitting a thick, wool maroon scarf. She said she didn’t know whom it was for. The Shalit family’s high-profile activities have their critics. But in this soldier-family nation, no one judges them for the way they’ve chosen. A commentary on the Mishna recalls that Moses was asked, “How long will we have to clarify every situation?” He replied: “The rule is according to the majority; however, both opinions are the word of the living God.” R. Samson of Sens, Eduyot 1:5.

May Gilad Shalit be home before he needs a warm scarf.