Mehta concert to draw attention to Israeli soldier

Sun Jul 4, 2010 9:28 AM EDT

world-news, israel, ml, gaza-strip, mehta, zubin-mehta

<p>Israelis march in support for the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit near the village of Rishpon, north of Tel Aviv, Sunday, July 4, 2010. The family of the captured Israeli soldier initiated a 12-day march from Schalit's home to Jerusalem to press Israeli leaders to make a deal with his Hamas captors to free him. Schalit was taken captive four years ago during a cross-border raid by militants from the Gaza Strip. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) </p>

Israelis march in support for the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit near the village of Rishpon, north of Tel Aviv, Sunday, July 4, 2010. The family of the captured Israeli soldier initiated a 12-day march from Schalit's home to Jerusalem to press Israeli leaders to make a deal with his Hamas captors to free him. Schalit was taken captive four years ago during a cross-border raid by militants from the Gaza Strip. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Advertise | AdChoices

TEL AVIV — Acclaimed conductor Zubin Mehta is adding his voice to the growing chorus calling for the release of an Israeli soldier held by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip for the past four years.

Under Mehta's baton, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a short concert of classical and Israeli music Monday for Sgt. Gilad Schalit. The soldier's captivity has become a rallying cry for thousands of marchers making a 12-day trek across the country, demanding the government do more to secure his release.

The concert is taking place in southern Israel near the Gaza border.

Mehta said Sunday he hopes the concert will inspire Gazans to pressure the Hamas government to allow the Red Cross to visit the soldier for the first time.