| Over the years, the price for the exchange of Shalit has risen and fallen. The key for Israel is to always offer less than Hamas wants. If Hamas lowers their price, then Israel lowers their offer. This has driven the Egyptian negotiators crazt, but in time, the motive became apparent. As it stands, the fact that Hamas holds Shalit offers a number of advantages to Israel. (1) It makes Israel appear as a victim of Hamas, a role that Israelis cherish, (2) It affords Israel the opportunity to continue with west bank expansion, citing Shalits long captivity of Hamas intractable enmity, (3) It gives Israel the option of making periodic attacks on Gaza, keeping the level of hate high on both sides, thus avoiding peace efforts. There has never really been any good faith effort to redeem Shalit. He is too valuable to Israel where he is. |
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