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Last update - 15:18 01/07/2008 Former cellmate says Samir Kuntar never meant to kill anyone By Jack Khoury, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Lebanon, Hezbollah  The former cellmate of the Lebanese prisoner Samir Kuntar, who is slated to be released from Israeli prison in the upcoming prisoner swap with Hezbollah, said on Monday that the convicted terrorist has "never expressed remorse, but maintains a completely different version [of the events] than the Israeli one." Former security prisoner Yasser Hanjar, of the Golan Heights village of Majdal Shams, served time in 1999, and for eight months shared a cell with Kuntar. He was convicted of participating in the 1979 terror attack in Naharyia, in which two members of the Haran family, as well as two Israeli policemen, were killed. Hanjar recalled a time when Kuntar told him his version of the events. Advertisement "Samir said it was his sincere belief in the armed struggle against Israel that motivated him to undertake the mission," he said. However, Hanjar continued, "he said he had no intention of killing anyone. He wanted to take Israelis hostage, and certainly not kill them." He also said Kuntar firmly rejected allegations he had smashed the head of 4-year-old Einat Haran, one of his victims. "This is the Israeli version," he quoted Kuntar. "I was surprised to meet a man, who after 30 years in prison was still optimistic," he continued. "He hadn't seen his family for 30 years, but despite that he radiated optimism and confidence. He felt it was part of his inner truth, in order not to lose face." Hanjar also said Kuntar has a solid political worldview. "He believes that the ultimate goal is dialogue with Israel," he said. He said Kuntar believes every armed struggle should facilitate a diplomatic process. "The main issue for him, though, was how to conduct this process and based on which principles," Hanjar said. Related articles: Olmert: I voted for swap to prevent another Ron Arad Free the monster Samir Kuntar Bar-On: If we cede Kuntar, Barghouti will be next Bookmark to del.icio.us   Hezbollah abduction How the Lebanese militia captured two IDF reservists in 2006, illustrated in pictures. Kuntar's crimes Israeli YouTube video details the 1979 terror attack perpetrated by Samir Kuntar.   1.   the sky in kuntar`s world must be pretty 15:42  |  mike 01/07/08   2.   Hurry Amos Schocken,go and kiss Kuntar,your soulmate 16:08  |  Absolute Sweden 01/07/08   3.   hahaha 16:47  |  Robert 01/07/08   4.   Kuntar is such an optimist. Pity to deprive his cell mates 17:05  |  x-ray 01/07/08   5.   Kuntar 17:11  |  Gabriel Allon 01/07/08   6.   Yeh right! Keep this murderer in jail till his dying day 17:19  |  Jon 01/07/08   7.   to many years locked up changing the story of what happen 17:23  |  Living In Rishon 01/07/08   8.   never meant to kill, BUT HE DID ANYWAY 17:24  |  superjew 01/07/08   9.   Well, if Kuntar said it it must be true! Makes no sense at all! 17:37  |  McQueen 01/07/08   10.   Kuntar 17:43  |  michael adamian 01/07/08   11.   Not surprised he lies, the bodies did not lie. 18:03  |  Jo 01/07/08   12.   To Michael` moral high ground. 18:16  |  De 01/07/08   13.   #10 Michael 18:30  |  Jane 01/07/08   14.   Disgusting article 18:43  |  Nathaniel 01/07/08   15.   Michael Adamian 18:44  |  x-ray 01/07/08   16.   #10 Michael 18:46  |  Jane 01/07/08   17.   Kuntar should be let go and then killed 18:52  |  Karl 01/07/08   18.   haaretz garbage 18:55  |  don 01/07/08   19.   KUNTAR`S VERSION WILL BE ACCEPTED BY HAARETZ, IF NO-ONE ELSE 18:58  |  Freethinker 01/07/08   20.   Kunter 19:26  |  Mo 01/07/08   21.   Haolam meshugah. But, especially us Jews who collectively... 19:57  |  bat yam 01/07/08   22.   Wouldn`t be the first time the IDF lied 20:13  |  IDF=liars 01/07/08   23.   I would be surprised if Israel 20:39  |  Joe 01/07/08   24.   Kosher Hypocrisy 20:39  |  candid camera 01/07/08   25.   Kuntar the lier 21:13  |  Jewish Israeli 01/07/08   26.   Murderer 21:15  |  Manny 01/07/08   27.   Kuntar is such a wonderful person he should be editor of Haaretz 21:28  |  Jew 01/07/08   28.   What a Bunch of Bull 21:33  |  joe rechtman 01/07/08   29.   Kuntar did not mean to kill anyone and...... 22:06  |  Connie 01/07/08   30.   Yeah, right, and Santa wears shorts and flippers. 23:02  |  Pervert 01/07/08   31.   Oh he meant to kill all right 23:44  |  Adrian de Klerk 01/07/08   32.   thank you Yasser for htat important info 23:48  |  manny 01/07/08   33.   Imagine how many dead babies if he HAD so intended! 23:57  |  dyinglikeflies 01/07/08   34.   He will not appear in public 00:12  |  leo 02/07/08   35.   re Jo #11 00:37  |  Colin Wright 02/07/08   36.   From the officer who captured Kuntar 00:55  |  Free Gilad Shalit 02/07/08   37.   His brother says Kuntar will return to terror 00:58  |  Free Gilad Shalit 02/07/08   38.   # 34 leo....from your mouth to God`s ear 01:14  |  Joy 02/07/08   39.   lebaneese babies!! 19:37  |  keith 02/07/08   40.   How about the 10,000 Jews that were butchered by Keith last night 23:44  |  Jonathan 03/07/08   41.   #39 11:13  |  Pik Botha 14/07/08   42.   Lets see who is telling the truth! 19:38  |  KD 17/07/08

Read & React Zvi Bar'el: It took 2 years, but Nasrallah kept promise to free Kuntar Responses: 93 Report: U.S. to station diplomats in Iran for first time since 1979 Responses: 111 Goldwasser's widow: Our journey has ended today Responses: 112 Talansky tells Olmert lawyers: I did not lie to prosecutors Responses: 14 Ex-envoy to South Africa: Calling Israel apartheid insults victims of that regime Responses: 74 Rosner's Domain Why does Israel keep agreeing to prisoner swaps? Talansky threatened to use a bomb - a long time ago (WTR) The new 'Obama advisor' problem: Senator Chuck Hagel Attacking Iran to get the world's attention? More Headlines 15:33 Regev's brother: I am proud of the nation who fought for your return 14:20 After two arduous years, Karnit Goldwasser's crusade is over 18:30 Olmert's attorneys: Talansky has secret understandings with prosecution 12:03 Report: U.S. to station diplomats in Iran for first time since 1979 16:24 Poll: 55% of American Jews see Mideast peace as 'core' U.S. interest 13:39 Kafka's mysterious heir snapped for first time - in Tel Aviv 16:19 Israel and Russia close to deal on Mediterranean pipeline 19:08 Lebanese civilians complain of anti-Hezbollah phone messages from Israel 13:46 Amman gunman wounds Israeli, 5 others before shooting self 14:44 VIDEO: Israel posts clip on YouTube describing Kuntar's 1979 attack 14:21 After swap, Israel fears Hezbollah will escalate tensions in North 15:58 Jerusalem bulldozer attacker buried in closed funeral in Zur Baher 11:17 Former MI head under investigation for disclosing state secrets 14:22 Top MK: Public pressure on abductees forced decision makers' hands Previous Editions Select Day 16 jul 15 jul 14 jul 13 jul 11 jul 10 jul 09 jul 08 jul 07 jul 06 jul 04 jul 03 jul

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