Posted on 07/07/2006 10:21:04 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
JERUSALEM -- A top Israeli government official said Friday that Israel might release Palestinian prisoners as part of an Egyptian proposal to win freedom for an Israeli soldier held by militants in Gaza.
It marked the first time Israel has expressed willingness to cut a deal for the release of the soldier, who was seized June 25 by Hamas-affiliated militants.
Avi Dichter, Israel's minister of public security, said that once the Israeli soldier is released and militants stop rocket attacks from Gaza, Israel could release Palestinian prisoners as a goodwill gesture.
"The release of the soldier, Gilad Shalit, will be a must," Dichter said Friday in a speech to Israeli business people.
If the Palestinians halt attacks, "Israel will need to, after some time, release prisoners as a return gesture," Dichter said. "Israel knows how to do this. Israel has done this more than once in the past."
Dichter also said Shalit is alive.
It was not immediately clear whether Dichter spoke for the government or was expressing a personal opinion.
Initially, Hamas militants demanded the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. However, the group then reduced its demands, seeking only the release of several dozen female prisoners and male inmates who have served long sentences, according to a senior Hamas official.
Egyptian mediators have proposed a two-stage process. Hamas would free Shalit and stop rocket fire, and Israel would eventually free an unspecified number of prisoners as a goodwill gesture.
A senior Palestinian official close to the negotiations said Israel has agreed to the deal in principle, but wants to avoid the impression of a direct exchange.
Hamas still insists on an announcement that prisoners are being released in a swap for the soldier, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the delicacy of the negotiations.
Part of the cut&n run crowd?
My gut feel,
No.
Get the soldier back alive, let a bunch of the wild dogs loose back in Gaza, and then finish the job, once and for all.
The Pali terrorists have never been able to refrain from violence before , regardless what deals are made.
Israel will release the prisoners 'after some time' AFTER Hamas release Shallit.
This is something that the Palestinians will not agree too.
They want their prisoners released first and only then will they release the soldier. If he's still alive that is.
This is not a new stance from Israel, even tho the MSM wants you to believe it is.
(The Palestinian terrorist regime is the crisis and Israel's fist is the answer.)
This may be an attempt by Israel to show the rest of the world that it really is trying to negotiate with Hamas. Knowing full well that they are wasting their breath.
Maybe.
Looks like kidnapping works.
negotiating with terrorists. How nice.
Ofcourse this won't now become standard policy for Hamas. Everytime they want something, just kill and kidnap and Israel will bend to your wishes. Lovely.
If they do this they are just inviting these radical slime to revert to this method over and over again. You cannot deal with islamofascists. Amen.
Yaaaa - rewarding bad behavior - never a good idea
Yes, and its worked so well for you.
If true...How long before this tactic is adopted every month? Looks like the PALS have found a better way of dealing with Israel instead of throwing rocks.
If Israel does this, they would only be encouraging the Palis in Gaza to dig tunnels under the borders and kill and kidnap people again.
Of course, appeasing the Palis by giving them Gaza was supposed to obviate this. What is wrong with people?
Read this on yahoo news. Disgusted! Sounds like the same old compromise coming out of the Israeli govt. Israel: Don't compromise! Makes you look weak. One thing these terrorists smell early on is weakness. Just level ALL buildings above ground level.
Good idea. Then, every time the Palis want someone out of jail, all they have to do is kidnap a couple Israelis. They'll know that gets results.
Every parent worth their salt understands the principles at work here, but it's somehow beyond political leaders.
Say it ain't so.
Note to family (you know who you are): If I would ever get kidnapped, do not, I repeat, do not barter for me. Don't deal. Screw 'em.
How many times must Israel fall for this BS. I was hoping this was the last time and wipe Gaza clean and take it back. Then attack Syria and level Palestine. Sometime they must make the sacrifice or continue to be killed a few at a time.
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