Speaking to Israeli diplomats in the Foreign Ministry on Monday, ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) Director Yuval Diskin stated a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas for Shalit’s release would be a “slap in the face” for PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen). His statement came in response to a question from Deputy Director of the Foreign Ministry’s Latin America Desk Dorit Shavit, who pondered how the deal will impact Abu Mazen’s position as PA leader throughout Yehuda and Shomron.
Diskin explained that while an agreement for the release of some 1,000 terrorists in exchange for Gilad Shalit’s release will indeed strengthen the terrorist regime in Gaza, and possibly compromise Fatah leader Abu Mazen’s position more than it already is, it will not topple him, which remains a matter of concern for Israel since he is perceived as the ‘moderate’ and Israel’s ‘diplomatic partner’. Diskin feels that currently, Abu Mazen is “irreplaceable” but acknowledges that the PA leader boxed himself into a corner by believing the United States would meet all his demands, which has not been the case, further weakening his precarious position.
Diskin spoke of Fatah Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti, who is serving five life sentences in an Israeli prison for his part in terrorist attacks. Hamas is demanding that Barghouti should be included in the prisoner release. Diskin stated that the so-called Second Intifada” was the product of Barghouti’s efforts, adding it “got out of hand”, further stating intelligence officials today do not believe a third intifada is on the agenda. Nevertheless, Diskin opposes Barghouti’s release, fearing he will work to rebuilt his terrorist infrastructure and promote attacks against Israel.
Diskin also spoke of possible successors for Abu Mazen, who he acknowledges may indeed step down at the end of the day. He also addressed other pertinent current events and security matters.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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One Response
for him it’s only a slap in the face,but for the jews in israel it is a death sentence.
releasing over 1000 blood thirsty terrorist murderers whose hands are still dripping with jewish blood is crimminal,in any other normal country if the government would propose doing such a heinous act,there would be a revolution
and they would be put on trial for high treason
and they would be hanging from the gallows