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Last update - 02:59 10/08/2008 Shalit is still in Gaza By Haaretz Editorial Tags: Israel, Gilad Shalit Consider the release of Lebanese prisoners for the bodies of Israel Defense Forces soldiers abducted and hauled away to Lebanon; the release of another five Palestinian prisoners last week as part of that same deal; the freeing of a Hamas government minister and a parliament member; the granting of free passage to dozens of Fatah men from the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian Authority-controlled West Bank; and the prime minister's vow to "release for Abu Mazen" at least100 more Palestinian prisoners. These examples attest to the futility of the debate over releasing prisoners. As has been made clear to us again and again, prisoners have become goods passed from one merchant to the next, all as part of the government's dialogue with terrorist organizations, or as part of diplomatic talks, even when that dialogue doesn't yield any noteworthy outcome. More than 11,000 Palestinian prisoners remain in Israeli jails, and a negligible number have been there since before the Oslo Accords. Tens of thousands of prisoners have been released since then, only a few of them after serving their sentences in full, others in a swap for Israeli captives, and the rest as a gesture to the Palestinian leadership or as a reward for its cooperation. Yet each time the government must decide whether to release an additional batch of prisoners, the same debate erupts. A prime example is the argument over the release of prisoners in exchange for Gilad Shalit. For two years and two months, Shalit has been held captive by Hamas - two years and two months in which the government has been pondering whether to release prisoners to win his release, and if so, which prisoners. The sense is that the government may be waiting for a miracle in the territories after such a long, taxing negotiation with a stubborn, cruel enemy. Perhaps it is hoping for something that will not compel it to submit to Hamas' demands, some unforeseen gimmick that will allow it to "save face" and wash its hands of the affair. Advertisement As Israel's experience with Hezbollah teaches, miracles do not happen. Hamas continues to consolidate its hold over Gaza, its row with Fatah continues to deepen, and the recent clashes and expulsion of Fatah members from the Strip demonstrate that attempts for reconciliation have a hard time yielding dividends. More than in the past, Hamas leaders feel that Shalit isn't just an asset that can be traded for Palestinian prisoners. He is also a defensive shield that can ward off an Israeli military operation, and he can serve as a valuable bargaining chip in Hamas' efforts to open the border crossings with Egypt. The conditions Hamas is demanding for Shalit's release continue to swell, and time is becoming an enemy for both Shalit and the Israeli government. Last weekend, Amos Gilad once again traveled to Egypt for the exhausting negotiations over Shalit's release. Does he bring news of any developments showing that the prime minister is really doing everything in his power to win Shalit's release? Highly doubtful. It also seems that Shalit's release is no longer a top media priority. And when the media go away, so do the politicians. It appears some people are convinced that the Israeli public underwent a traumatic experience with the exchange of Lebanese prisoners for the kidnapped soldiers, to the point that it is unable to absorb a similar blow to its prestige that would accompany any deal for Shalit. This is a delusion. The Israeli public wants to see Gilad Shalit alive and home now. The release of 450 prisoners and their relocation to a besieged Gaza Strip will neither enhance nor harm Israel's security. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Three years in captivity Aviva Shalit accuses politicians of being too busy with their own affairs to free her son. Hezbollah in Venezuela Western gov'ts fear the group is establishing cells in the South American country.   1.   Murder isn`t a serious crime? 09:09  |  Ilan 10/08/08   2.   releasing them all into arab palestine jordan is the best idea 09:29  |  victor hardman 10/08/08   3.   Israeli gov.messing with Shalit`s life 09:47  |  fairy 10/08/08   4.   this is a huge threat to national security 10:00  |  zionist forever 10/08/08   5.   Editorial Advocate To Violate Israeli Laws Instead of 10:10  |  Joseph.E 10/08/08   6.   no1...careful illan 10:27  |  ravi 10/08/08   7.   450? Israel should be so lucky 12:34  |  Clickfool 10/08/08   8.   footdragging 12:54  |  rm 10/08/08   9.   Ilan - mushy thinking won`t do, here 13:07  |  Elihu 10/08/08   10.   Shalit should already be in Israel 13:45  |  KUTW 10/08/08   11.   To the Israeli government 13:47  |  KUTW 10/08/08   12.   Dialogue is between two sides 13:50  |  KUTW 10/08/08   13.   Terrorism against Israel is very cheap 13:52  |  KUTW 10/08/08   14.   Where is Carter? 13:57  |  KUTW 10/08/08   15.   there is no logical or factual reason why shalit should not have 15:34  |  victor hardman 10/08/08   16.   All of the Palestinians are imprisoned 16:37  |  Natallie Durson 10/08/08   17.   hamas.. 17:07  |  D 10/08/08   18.   We should rescue Shalit. NOT ransom him. 17:30  |  Chaim 10/08/08   19.   ransom 18:11  |  JoJo 10/08/08   20.   Release to Gaza? 18:52  |  Rachel Carter 10/08/08   21.   Insanity 19:07  |  George 10/08/08   22.   silly man it will create future harm lots of it 21:59  |  ralph 10/08/08   23.   Haaretz and the Left 23:30  |  Ron 10/08/08   24.   Two Yeas and Two Months =No Freedom of Shalit 01:24  |  Amnon. 11/08/08   25.   #21 Geoge. Iowa is not the same as the middle east 01:29  |  Been There 11/08/08   26.   Psychotic Denial 02:03  |  daat y 11/08/08   27.   450 vs 1 Exchange 02:38  |  Brod 11/08/08   28.   Today marks his 777th day in captivity! 03:56  |  Free Gilad Shalit 11/08/08   29.   HOW many hundred Pals for the next Arab kidnap-murder then? 06:01  |  PETER SM 11/08/08   30.   11000 Pals ore no Shalit 07:06  |  Dav 11/08/08   31.   DAV where did you read that ? 09:08  |  PETER SM 11/08/08   32.   #6 - Ravi 09:31  |  Michael 11/08/08   33.   450*1 05:46  |  Ronny Judah 29/08/08

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