Aides to Premier-designate Binyamin Netanyahu point out that during recent weeks and months; Netanyahu has supported Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his cabinet regarding efforts to obtain Gilad Shalit’s release without really expressing his own views on the matter. One official adds that it would be wise for Hamas to close a deal now since today; there is a cabinet majority for the prisoner release deal while one cannot know if the incoming cabinet will be as forthcoming. As it appears, there are only a limited number of days until the new administration takes the oath of office, which will close the door on the deal proposed by the current government.
Netanyahu hasn’t uttered a word regarding the release of ‘heavy’ terrorists; presumably because he prefers seeing the Shalit matter resolved prior to his taking office, but now it appears this will not be the case.
There is an understanding between Olmert and Netanyahu, that the incoming prime minister is apprised of details of the ongoing efforts to obtain Shalit’s release while he passively supports the administration’s efforts. Even if Netanyahu is willing to continue along the same line, to release major terrorists, he will have a considerably more difficult time selling such a deal to a right-wing cabinet which includes his own defense minister, former IDF chief Moshe Ya’alon, who recently stated that we cannot work to release imprisoned soldiers “at any price”, adding at times, the price may just be too high and we must accept this as well.
Whatever the case, if chas v’sholom Shalit is not released in the coming days, it will take time for the new administration to study all the intelligence information and begin addressing the Shalit issue. This is why the soldier’s parents, Noam and Aviva, have been pushing to resolve the matter prior to the current administration leaving office, realizing if not, it may take months until the issue once again is brought to the forefront and this they fear may result in their son becoming another Ron Arad, who has been missing since 1986.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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One Response
It’s my impression that Hamas does not consider setting Shalit free – even in exchange for open borders, money and the release of its comrades – to be in its best interest.
A terrorist organization’s tools are the those that cause anguish to its enemies, even at the expense of the well-being of its own people. Jewish world-wide concern for Shalit increases his value as a negotiating tool, but not necessarily for the purpose of agreeing to anything.
From that perspective, a tougher stance by the next Israeli cabinet would be welcomed by Hamas. It will keep the ball in play, so to speak.
We don’t seem to accept that Hamas – and perhaps any Palestinian representative group – have a very different way of thinking about war tactics than we’ve been exposed to before (i.e. prior to Vietman).
What’s the solution? I wish I were clever enough to have one.