Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., June 19, 2008 Sivan 16, 5768 | | Israel Time: 10:30 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Rosner's Domain
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 23:49 10/06/2008
Reservists: If we're captured, don't negotiate for our bodies
By Haaretz Service
Tags: IDF, Hezbollah, Israel 

"If we are captured by the enemy, we ask that the state of Israel does not release many hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for our freedom," Israel Defense Forces reserves soldiers wrote in a letter addressed to the IDF chief of staff, channel 2 reported Tuesday.

The reservists, members of a decorated infantry battalion, are slated to be the first soldiers to enter enemy territory should Israel decide to carry out a large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip.

According to Channel 2, the letter will be handed to IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi only when such an operation begins.
Advertisement
The soldiers and officers emphasize in the letter that they are "ready to sit in an enemy prison for as long as it takes," and demand that Israel refrain from paying a high price for their freedom. The soldiers also ask that no negotiations be held over their dead bodies or parts of their dead bodies.

Earlier this month, the Lebanon-based guerilla group Hezbollah handed over to Israel the remains of several IDF soldiers, in what some viewed as efforts to advance a prisoner exchange.

Channel 2 also reported Tuesday that former United States president Jimmy Carter was launching efforts to get a letter to captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, from his parents. A letter apparently written by Shalit, who was captured by Palestinian militants in 2006, was transferred through the Carter Center to his family on Monday.

The Shalit family declined to make public the contents of the letter they received, but said that Gilad begged for his life in it and asked that Israel cooperate and take action to secure his release.

Related articles:
  • Shalit's father: Gilad begs for his life in new letter
  • Top MI officer: Hamas fears broad IDF operation in Gaza
  • German FM: Transfer of bodies by Hezbollah is bid to advance swap talks
  • Doctors identify five IDF soldiers among remains handed over by Hezbollah
  • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Fragile cease-fire
    Olmert: Gaza cease-fire is fragile, may be short lived.
    Unbalanced stance
    Italy FM: EU stance on Israel in past swayed by intolerance.
      1.   They want to be Martyrs... Let them. IDF indoctrination #1 00:45  |  POP 11/06/08
      2.   I have two words for you: Sharon and Tannenbaum 01:48  |  Raphael 11/06/08
      3.   In the name of the good you like the world think... 02:28  |  Maureen Ann 11/06/08
      4.   #1, RAPHAEL, and the pal childrens murderers? 03:20  |  VIPER 11/06/08
      5.   honourable, courageous and sensible 07:41  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 11/06/08
      6.   don`t worry IDF by this time mad mert will have given all Jacob`s 18:03  |  glenna 11/06/08
      7.   well done reservists 20:46  |  jack 11/06/08
      8.   These are the REAL heroes! 15:29  |  Rob Stevens 12/06/08
      9.   Elohim ithem 02:21  |  n 19/06/08
     Read & React
    Israel-Hamas truce takes hold in Gaza
    Responses: 33
    Editorial: A lengthy cease-fire is an achievement for Israel
    Responses: 6
    ANALYSIS / For Gaza truce architect, Israel chose lesser of 2 evils
    Responses: 17
    Israel Harel: The Supreme Court has aligned itself with the radical left
    Responses: 6
    J'lem refuses services to Palestinian city residents east of separation fence
    Responses: 3
    Rosner's Domain
    The Joe Lieberman dilemma
    Will next U.S. Congress top current record number of Jewish lawmakers?
    Misunderstanding undivided Jerusalem (WTR)
    Guests: Weak relationship between later marriage and intermarriage
    Poll: Cease fire in Gaza is an achievement for...


    More Headlines
    10:10 Israel-Hamas truce takes hold in Gaza
    10:08 ANALYSIS / For truce architect, Israel chose lesser of two evils
    08:52 Noam Shalit slams deal with Hamas that leaves Gilad out
    09:57 Egypt to tell UN: Demand Israel hand over Shaba Farms to int'l peacekeepers
    08:53 Eager yet untrusting, both sides of Gaza border await calm
    08:56 Rosner's Domain / The Joe Lieberman dilemma
    10:20 Iran says ready to negotiate on incentives to halt nuclear program
    07:30 Defense officials: No prisoner swap with Hezbollah this weekend
    09:03 J'lem city hall refuses services to area beyond separation fence
    04:38 U.S. imposes financial clamps on alleged Hezbollah supporters
    06:16 Taxis and trucks to clog main T.A. artery in fuel price protest
    07:37 Skin cancer rates jump 24 percent in 2006
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Holyland Park
    Jerusalem Apartment Tower World Class Luxury
    In the heart of Tel-Aviv
    The Meier on Rothschild tower
    Jerusalem of Gold
    Luxury apartments in Jerusalem's finest location
    Your vacation starts here
    Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates
    Free Hebrew Private Lesson
    www.iStudyHebrew.com
    Pardes Institute Summer Sessions
    http://www.pardes.org.il/
    Free the Palestinians from:
    Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel
    Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel
    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