Internal Security Minister Warns: No More Prisoner Swaps

Arutz Sheva ^ | 11/7/15 | Ari Soffer

[Eleutheria5]

Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan (Likud) has warned against any further prisoner swaps with terrorist groups in return for captive citizens.

Speaking at a "Meet The Press" interview, Erdan stated that Israel must do everything in its power to free the two Israeli civilians currently held hostage by Hamas in Gaza - 26-year-old Avraham (Avera) Meginsu, and a still-unidentified Arab-Israeli resident of the Negev.

However, Erdan warned that past experience has clearly demonstrated that acceding to Hamas's exaggerated demands to release scores of convicted terrorists from prison in exchange would be a grave mistake.

"To free terrorists, in light of the lessons learned from previous such transactions? No more," the Likud minister declared. "Israel needs to do everything, but not to free terrorists, who return afterwards to carrying out terrorist attacks."

Israel has in the past exchanged hundreds of terrorists, many of convicted murderers, in exchange for kidnapped citizens. Most recently, the 2011 Shalit Deal saw over 1,000 convicted terrorists - who were responsible for the murders of hundreds of Israelis, mostly civilians - released in exchange for a single soldier, Gilad Shalit.

The deals have been controversial, with opponents warning they simply encourage further kidnappings, and make a mockery of the Israeli justice system by allowing convicted killers to walk free after serving just a few years. What's more, studies have shown that the majority of terrorists released under such deals return to terrorist activities.

This time, Hamas has demanded the release of dozens of dangerous terrorists as a precondition to even starting talks over freeing the two captive Israelis.

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[Eleutheria5]

Kill dozens of Hamas operatives, and demand release of hostages as precondition to cease fire.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Eleutheria5.

Speaking at a "Meet The Press" interview, Erdan stated that Israel must do everything in its power to free the two Israeli civilians currently held hostage by Hamas in Gaza - 26-year-old Avraham (Avera) Meginsu, and a still-unidentified Arab-Israeli resident of the Negev. However, Erdan warned that past experience has clearly demonstrated that acceding to Hamas's exaggerated demands to release scores of convicted terrorists from prison in exchange would be a grave mistake.

[GOPJ]

Thanks Civ