Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., March 18, 2009 Adar 22, 5769 | | Israel Time: 22:53 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Noam Shalit.
 Daniel Bar-On
Last update - 18:34 17/03/2009
Olmert tells Shalit family: I won't give up fight for Gilad's release
By Nir Hasson, Haaretz Correspondent, and The Associated Press
Tags: Israel News, Shalit, Olmert 

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has promised to continue negotiations over a deal to release Gilad Shalit from Hamas captivity as long as he remains premier, the abducted soldier's father said on Tuesday.

Olmert met with Shalit's parents, Noam and Aviva, on Tuesday evening to update them on the status of two days of intensive negotiations held over the weekend in Cairo and to explain to them why the talks had reached a deadlock.

The briefing came following a special cabinet session, in which ministers decided to publicize the list of prisoners Hamas has demanded be freed in the deal.
Advertisement
Shalit said that during the briefing Olmert assure him that he would not give up on the negotiations, despite the recent dailure to reach a deal.

Earlier Tuesday, the abducted soldier's father told Haaretz that he did not believe Olmert's government would manage to secure the release of his son.

"I assume that the negotiations will continue... This government will not manage to bring Gilad back. The prime minister has apparently failed in his position on this matter," Shalit told Haaretz.

He made the comments in a protest tent his family pitched last week opposite the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem to protest the government's failure to close a deal for the abducted soldier's release.

Officials close to the talks said Olmert was not expected to instruct
negotiators to resume their efforts to reach a deal with Hamas militants in Gaza who took Shalit captive in a 2006 cross-border raid. Instead, he was expected to turn the matter over to incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because the Cabinet meeting had not
concluded.

Noam Shalit also sent an impassioned letter to Olmert on Tuesday, imploring the premier to close a deal for his son's release.

"I turn to you with a heart-rending cry from my family, which is waiting for its son, who is jailed in Hamas' dungeons. 996 days have passed since Gilad was kidnapped, during your term as prime minister," Shalit began the letter.

"I request unambiguously and publicly from you, and despite the steep price and this required: Bring back my son before the end of your term in office. This letter of mine is a prayer to save my son, I ask you father to father - don't abandon my son Gilad."

He sent the text after indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Cairo failed to achieve a breakthrough that would free his son in return for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

The soldier's father added: "For almost three years rotting in dark tunnels, without his senders knowing about his condition. You bear responsibility to carry out the compact between the Israel Defense Forces and the state, to the family that sent its son with the knowledge of the [army's] commitment not to abandon a soldier in captivity."

Related articles:
  • Despite rumors, little optimism at Shalit protest tent
  • Prisoners' families wait anxiously for Shalit deal
  • Gilad Shalit's brother pleads in letter: 'Please bring him home'
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Dicey move
    Pentagon chief says Israeli attack on Iran would endanger Mideast.
    Shalit swap
    Gaza families do not know who Israel will free for Gilad Shalit.
      1.   Why is Ehud BSing this poor family.. 15:23  |  ali 17/03/09
      2.   Shalit family and many others do not recognize 15:45  |  Israeli Observer 17/03/09
      3.   Where is list of terrrorist Hamas terrorist are demanding? 19:41  |  Baruch Gold 17/03/09
      4.   Schalit`s release 20:13  |  norman a blumberg 17/03/09
      5.   The Master Liar`s Last Hurrah 00:27  |  chet 18/03/09
      6.   Olmert and Shalits 04:06  |  Edithann 18/03/09
      7.   Shalit`s Release 12:52  |  Inem 18/03/09
     Haaretz Hot Topics
    Israel 2009 election results: Voter breakdown
    Israel goes to the polls
    Conflict in Gaza
    Israel vs. Hamas
    Iran: Nuclear and regional ambitions
    More Headlines
    21:56 Haaretz expose: IDF testimonies paint grim picture of Gaza war
    22:52 Ex-U.S. envoy to UN: Israel could do more to improve its image
    17:46 Hamas: Israel will retreat on stance in Shalit deal
    21:37 Ministerial panel: Tighten Gaza borders, strip Palestinian prisoners' rights
    22:35 Noam Shalit: Window of opportunity to free Gilad has closed
    20:43 Israel rejects revised draft of Durban II statement
    22:03 Barak: Labor must 'seriously consider' Likud coalition offer
    10:51 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
    17:30 Lebanon president rules out direct talks with Israel
    16:01 Court okays razing of home of Jerusalem bulldozer terrorist
    15:54 Assad: Olmert agreed to give up all of the Golan
    12:26 Russia signs deal to supply Iran with air-defense missiles
    09:58 Report: IDF chief gave U.S. fresh intel on Iran nukes program
    22:24 Swiss MP: German banking policy reminiscent of Nazi-era
    14:18 Unemployment rate rises to highest level in 14 months
    11:34 Who are the deadly terrorists Israel refuses to release for Shalit?
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Spring Specials-Dan Hotels
    Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$
    Dead Sea Skin Care
    Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Passover Vacations
    The BEST Passover Vacations around ? Mexico, Arizona and Florida
    Camp Kimama Israel 2009
    The best place for your children this summer
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results
    Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved