Finance Minister Roni Bar-On, one of three government ministers who opposed the Regev-Goldwasser deal on Monday explained the deal leaves him with concerns, concerns regarding talks towards the release of Gilad Shalit, concerns pertaining to Ron Arad and other missing soldiers.

He stated Sunday’s deal will have an impact on Marwan Barghouti, the Fatah commander currently serving five life sentences for his murderous offenses. Bar-On opposes the release of live terrorists for dead bodies.

Despite the pressure exerted on ministers by members of the Goldwasser and Regev families, Bar-On did not change his stance, opposing the deal which he views as too costly and in many aspects, compromises Israel’s security interests.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)