The European Jewish Press

By AFP

"France launches a solemn appeal to the abductors of Gilad Shalit to free him immediately," said Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in a statement.

Gilad Shalit has dual French and Israeli citizenship.

"I salute the gesture of the Israeli government which contributes to reinforcing trust between the parties in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," he said.

In return for the first video of the soldier who was captured by Palestinian armed groups in June 2006, Israel on Friday released 19 Palestinian women prisoners, with a 20th due to be freed in coming days.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has since Shalit’s capture personally intervened to try to secure his release.