One should try to see what the consequences of Shalit`s release will be to realize that Israel cannot allow this to happen at this time.
With Shalit released, Israel will have to release the Hamas legislators (about 35 of them) held as hostages for Shalit. This will restore the parliamentary majority of Hamas, and would enable them to convene their parliament. First order of business: Voting no confidence in the Fayyad government, and disapproving of ALL the decrees issued by Abbas while parliament was not in session.
With this, Fayyad will disappear from the scene, no EU money for Fatah, and Abbas emasculated. The end of the peace process, unless Hamas is part of the government (aka Unity Government).
Shalit will be released, but only after the present peace process ends, or when Israel wants to stop the peace process and blame the Palestinians for it, in which case it will release Shalit and let Hamas take over. |
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