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Former IDF chief of staff Moshe Ya'alon (Nir Kafri)
Last update - 16:12 14/12/2008
Ya'alon: Every prisoner swap encourages more kidnappings
By Haaretz Service
Tags: Tzipi Livni, Israel News 

Former IDF chief of staff Moshe Ya'alon on Sunday criticized recent calls to broker the release of abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit "at any price", saying such calls were not appropriate, adding that previous prisoner exchanges encouraged additional kidnappings.

Ya'alon explained his hesitance to comment on the matter by saying that in past prisoner exchanges "we have backed ourselves into a corner, where every deal we make encourages kidnappings. In addition, those murderers who we release, go on to murder more Israelis."

Ya'alon told Army Radio the issue of returning Shalit "must remain above politics, and I am wary of making statements on the issue."
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Ya'alon's added that he agreed with Kadima Chair Tzipi Livni, who caught fire last Thursday for saying it isn't possible to bring every IDF soldier home.

Livni on Friday clarified her remarks, saying she meant that freeing Gilad Shalit was not a question of political will.

"It sounded as if the question of freeing Gilad Shalit depends on whether we want to [do so] or not. Absolutely not... I want to clarify that the question is whether it is possible or not," said Livni, speaking to Israel Radio."

The foreign minister, who is also the Kadima chairwoman, insisted that she wants every Israel Defense Forces soldier to return home.

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  • IDF chief of staff: Freeing Gilad Shalit is always on the agenda
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