Former hostage Gilad Shalit and his parents received by Nicolas Sarkozy

Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday received the former French-Israeli hostage Gilad Shalitand his parents, who will participate in the evening at the dinner of the CRIF, the annual gathering of the Jewish community, whose head of state will again be the guest of honor.

The President will have the opportunity, during this evening that he attends every year,crossing the PS presidential candidate, Francois Hollande, within 80 days of the first round.

The Socialist attend the speech by Mr Sarkozy, the third that he pronounced before theCRIF since 2007. In 2009 and 2010, the Prime Minister Francois Fillon, who had stated.

Gilad Shalit, who was held hostage for five and a half years in Gaza before being releasedOctober 18, 2011 in exchange for a thousand Palestinian prisoners, was received at midday by Mr Sarkozy. His parents Noam and Aviva with him, as well as France's ambassador to Israel, Christophe Bigot.

A statement from the Elysee Palace, Sarkozy praised the boy for his "exemplary courage" during his "captivity unfair and unacceptable." He also stressed "the importance ofmobilization of the French in favor of his release and recalled the commitment and tireless efforts of France to do so."

Noam Shalit and his wife Aviva attend the dinner of the CRIF, but not their son, "his healthdoes not permit it," according to relatives of the family.

Escorted onto the steps of the Elysee by the President after their meeting, the young man of 25 appeared fragile and timid. He rushed inside a car, leaving his father to speak to the press.

"We thanked President Nicolas Sarkozy and the team at the Elysee for their efforts andcommitment" to the release of Gilad, "we are very excited," said Shalit.