Hamas leader accuses Israel of holding up Shalit deal
Report: Shalit talks to be deferred until after Eid al-Adha; Hamas: Shalit swap stuck on prisoner list.
By Jack Khoury and Avi Issacharoff Haaretz Service, AP Tags: Gilad Shalit AIPAC Hamas Israel newsA senior Hamas official in the Gaza Strip, Khalil Al-Hayya, accused Israel on Wednesday of holding up negotiations over a deal to secure the release of abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit.
The Gaza leader told a Hamas-linked Web site that Israel had not met the demands of the groups holding Shalit. But he did not say that the deal had been torpedoed or had failed.
Meanwhile, the Al-Arabiya TV network reported on Wednesday that the negotiations over Shalit would be postponed until after the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, which begins on Friday.
Al-Hayya's comments came after other Hamas officials said the talks between Hamas and Israel have hit a snag over some of the top militants the Islamic group wants freed in return Shalit, and a deal is unlikely in the coming days.
Israel is objecting to some of the names put forward by Hamas, a senior official of the militant group familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. He said the German mediator shuttling between the sides has presented an alternative list of names provided by Israel, and Hamas leaders are studying it.
Shalit was captured by Gaza militants in a cross border raid in June 2006, and has been held prisoner since. Contention over the names on the list of Palestinian prisoners submitted by Hamas to Israel for release has held up the prisoner exchange on more than one occasion.
Meanwhile, an Egyptian source told Fox News that a final decision on the deal that would see Shalit released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners does not rest solely on Hamas, but rather it is Israel that must decide whether to green light several of the names on Hamas' list and make the exchange happen.
As officials in Israel awaited Hamas' final answer, Gilad Shalit's father Noam was hard at work soliciting support among government officials for the potential deal. Should both sides agree upon the terms of the exchange, it would only be carried out after the deal was approved in a cabinet vote.
Noam Shalit met on Wednesday with Israel's Sephardic Chief Rabbi, Shlomo Amar, who spoke with him about the Jewish imperative of freeing captives.
"After I pray for the return of Gilad to his home, I will add a prayer for the government to come to the right decision on this matter," Amar said.
Shalit is expected to also meet with Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger.
Noam Shalit also met with Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz and Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau on Wednesday. At the Knesset, Shalit told reporters that "we still don't have any news, we are in the process of meeting with ministers. That is the situation right now."
Waiting on Meshal
Hamas' Damascus-based political leader Khaled Meshal was scheduled to relay to the Hamas delegation his decision on the latest compromise drafted by the German mediator. Simultaneously, Israel's security cabinet was also set to meet Wednesday afternoon on another previously scheduled issue.
The London-based Arabic language daily Al Hayat reported that the Hamas leadership was split over the Israeli compromise proposal. According to the report, senior Damascus-based Hamas officials are in disagreement: while the more extreme officials insist on the release of all the prisoners on their list, more moderate Hamas leaders contend that it is futile to expect that Israel meet all of the group's demands.
The Arab daily also said that for the first time since Shalit's abduction over three years ago, Israel has agreed to release Palestinian prisoners considered "heavy" - or having committed serious crimes. However, Hamas sources told an Al Hayat reporter in Cairo that Israel still refuses to release some of the prisoners on the list, and has even turned down a Palestinian proposal to deport those men from the Palestinian territories following their release.
Among the prisoners Israel refuses to release are Ibrahim Hamed, the former commander of Hamas' military wing and the mastermind behind the terror bombing at Moment cafe in Jerusalem; Abdallah Barghouti, a relative of Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti and another mastermind of the Moment attack as well as terror attacks at Sbarro pizza parlor in Jerusalem and on Allenby Street in Tel Aviv.
The sources confirmed to Al Hayat that progress has been achieved in the negotiations over the prisoner swap, but added that the final decision will be made on Wednesday as the Damascus-based Hamas leadership reviews its options.
Earlier Wednesday, a senior Israeli official told Army Radio that the U.S. administration was opposed to the emerging understandings between Israel and Hamas surrounding the deal. "The U.S. does not support negotiations with terror organizations," the official said. "Washington knows that any release of Palestinian prisoners to the West Bank could harm Palestinian President Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) and become a victory for Hamas," he added.
The pro-Israel lobby AIPAC also voiced concern over the possible prisoner swap but refrained from explicitly criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Senior AIPAC strategist Josh Block said: "This is a wrenching situation and a reminder of the kind of difficult choices Israel must make when it is beset by enemies. And it is entirely for the democratically elected government of Israel to make these decisions, not for anyone else, and that as Americans who support Israel, we have only empathy for Israel."
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Noam Shalit meeting with the Sephardic Chief Rabbi, Shlomo Amar, in Jerusalem on Wednesday. |
| Photo by: (Emile Salman) |
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Natalie's calculus for fault in war is how many civilians were killed. Interesting way to choose sides, isn't it? But normally, when reality is taken into account, a nation is required to defend itself--especially if survival is at stake. Hamas started the latest conflict (as usual) and cynically hides behind civilian casualties which could have been avoided by fighting in non-civilian areas. Hamas wants casualties to obtain sympathy from the credulous world public. The same folks who think peace can be achieved by putting flowers in gun barrels to persuade soldiers how nice it would be to lay their weapons down. China and Russia would be much more Draconian in their response were they attacked in the same way. Sadam and Assad wiped out whole communities for less. Where were the condemnations then? 600 civilians compared to how many Sudanese. Have you commented in a newspaper about Moslem persecution of Christians there?
The party line of Likud is that negotiations with Hamas is impossible. And why should Likud change that position? What could Likud gain by negotiating with Hamas? What could harm Likud more?
Irgun and Lehi never directly attacked civilians. They fought against the British ARMY, that was preventing Jews from entering what was then Palestine to escape the Nazis. By universal definition, therefore, they are not considered to be terrorist groups, whereas Hamas and many other Arab terrorist groups are. This is a fact, not an opinion. Civilians are killed during IDF operations mainly because Hamas and Hizbollah hide behind them afraid to fight the Israeli army. They are the primary culprit in causing civilian deaths.
Of course. Children are defined as anyone under 21. Everyone in the world knows that anyone less than 21 or a women has no idea how to fire a weapon, or pull the pin on a grenade. Or do anything wrong whatsoever. Right, Rachael?
It is the fault of the Palestinians that so many of their civilians are dead. They have voted for a government that uses them as human shields; that hides behind women and children as they fire their weapons; that hide in burqas as they blow up children. If one terrorist was firing at my family while surrounded by civilians, I would not hesitate to blow him to pieces even if meant several innocents would die. Sorry PALS, but you did this to yourself.
Man... the Sephardic Rabbi is dressed to the nines... ain't he. Must be some nouveau fashion statement of some sort. And I certainly can appreciate Noam Shalit's body language in this picture. It's as if... he can't move away far enough from the esteemed icon. Maybe it's true, sometimes a picture says more... then the article itself.
Civillians were killed in the bombimg of the King David Hotel. Along with many many masacres over the years not just Dier Yassam. No one has ever been punished . the commander of the Houla masacre in Lebanon in 1948 was given a medal [ and the innocent civvillians didn't even fight the IDF]. When a IDF commander executed 50 innocent farmers by firing sqad his punishment was a fine of one dollsr . Sabra Shantilla . the list is long NO ONE is ever punished. Why hasn't Baruk Goldstin's house been bulldowzed . I could go on and on. Jewish Israele's are almost never punished for crimes against Palastinians . on the contrary many consider them heros
Hamas is playing games!
Natalie, Lehi did not become a part of the IDF, the Irgun was a splinter movement. The Palestinian Authority never officially abdicated deliberate slaughter of Israeli civilians--and, incidentally, way in excess of 600--during the second intifadah; it just gave up after Israel's forthright defense. Meanwhile, Hamas has *never* forsworn deliberate killing of Israeli civilians, but turns spigot on and off, depending on pressure. Shalit can remain in Palestinian custody if a deal isn't worked out and hopefully they won't kill him too. Israel is under no obligation to turn over every murderer of civilians they have in their detention. It is easy to justify the retaliatory revenge murder of Israeli civilians from a cozy fireplace far far away.
...this affair gets more and more sordid.It really does need to be shouted that Hamas is showing itself to be morally bankrupt.They like to shout about human rights,but their preferred method of putting right what they perceive to be wrongs is...infringe human rights;specifically,by bombarding Southern Israel and kidnapping Gilad Shalit and using him as a human pawn.If Hamas wants to be thought of as moral,let it put PEACE on the table as a negotiating tool.Peace doesn't seem to be part of Hamas's agenda,by its own declaration.They're terrorists. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!
of the over TWO hundred childrens incarsereted in the Jails. Why in the first place hold on to JUVENILES? and WOMEN?(how mnay of them ?)
The political cost for Netanyahu will be to high after building up Israeli hopes of Gilad Shalit's release only to dash them over the release of a couple of people with 'blood on their hands' whilst agreeing to release others who also have' blood on their hands' This is just manouvering to get the Israeli people to pressure their political representatives to agree to whatever deal has to be made so Netanyahu can show there was a broad consensus. I'd get whatever you need for a celebration either this weekend or next week. Foreign Ministers of Gerany don't turn up to take part in talks if nothing is going to happen. Also announcing a settlement freeze then following it up with good news to bury it is an astute political move. Just wait won't be long now.
but we have to until we can awake the world and impose sacntions and seige
Hamas is a terrorist organization. Negotiations should not be held with them. Israel should send their best special forces to attempt to rescue Gilad, if this fails then such is life. No prisoner swaps, no compromises, we do not deal with terrorists. This should be the Israeli motto. If it was my own Son I would say the same thing. Regards, Me.
The terrorists Israel swaps in exchange for Schalit matter. But what matters most is the media. Israel has had 3 1/2 years to prepare for a mediatic swarming during and after the swap, so that it appears a clear victory by Israel. It hasn't done its homework. Instead, Hezballah, Hamas, Iran, have done their homework meticukously, and will be ready with Prussian exactitude to swarm the media with their biased "victory" over the "zionist enemy". If such a swap will be done, it should have been done three years ago, with only minimal time to prepare the mediatic swarming and spin, so as to deny Hamas mediatic victory, and to avoid the terrible suffering Gilad Schalit and his loved ones -specially their parents and brother- have passed through. One can only hope Israel finally understands that it has been utterly defeated in the mediatic war so far, and it can improve it with humbleness and lots of work, and even win it. May that be the lesson of this ordeal which hopefully ends.
The United States should be satisfied that the Netanyahu government is doing its level best to create the right conditions for Israeli-Palestinian talks to continue. And as the AIPAC spokesman, Josh Block has rightfully said:"He feels only empathy for Israel", which has to take such fateful decisions not to leave one of its sons to languish indefinitely in Gaza, after even prosecuting a war and not being able to locate Gilad, it must be said.
... imply commuting their sentences? If not, let them go and round them up later. And do it in a way that they will not become bargaining chips later.
I don't believe that Hamas' price for Shalit will be met bu Israel. Hamas knows this, and they don't want to give him up at any price. Shalit is all they have. This is just another round in a never ending game.
No israel, No Palestine. One State Solution is the best for all. One Man, One Vote, Equality for all inhabitants. Equal Pay for Equal Work, Equal Water Rights. No Apartheid, No Segregation...A Very True Secular Democracy. Let us call it :?State of Holy Land?.
Jewish terrorists attacked and killed British citizens it is historical fact. You are trying to alter history. It is not without irony that it was Jewish terrorists who invented the vehicle borne improvised explosive device, and international terrorism.
Just like in previous attempts to have Gilad released, EACH OF THE SIDE IS USING THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR THEIR OWN "BLITZ" TO AIR THEIR DIFFERENCES TO THE WORLD COMMUNITY ..... and I think, neither cares alot about Gilad's release. Its interesting that this "Haaretz" article refers to this man mostly as "Shalit", not Gilad or Gilad Shalit. He's a human being and he still has no "katset" number on his arm.
The unnamed source quoting Karl Rove and Dick Cheney is just engaging in character assassination. Karl Rove is no longer in government. Neither is Dick Cheney. Unless the unnamed source agrees to be identified and names his "Washington," that part of the story bears zero credibility.
to make make Israel look bad. Irgun and Lehi attacked British institutions. Not civilians. In the case of a British diplomat being murdered, the Lehi killers were captured and executed. When Israel was reborn many memebers of Irgun and Lehi were jailed...and yes later released on an amnesty appeal. When is the last time a Palestinian "freedom fighter" with blood on his or her hands was executed. Marwan Barghoutti should have been !!! But he and his ilk are your HEROES aren't they Natalie ?
and they will do it by the end of the week. Anything else is just grandstanding to hide the release of Marwan Barghouti the man Israel is going to deal with to establish a two state solution. Everyone knows this so why pretend.
they want freed for the price of freeing Shalit. Pressure from the Israeli public on the Israeli government to do the deal will do the rest. Israel's politicians rely on secrecy to ensure that the people of Israel are not allowed to make the decisions which directly affect them.
He understandably puts his child first. The State must however do what is right, and that is not to let murderers go free.
Turkish terrorist groups united and after the craetion of Turkey they founded Turkish military forces 'TSK' their leaders become Turkish leaders. in resistance during German occupation french terror groups were attacking german citizen and military targets.than many of these leaders served in FR military became minister. same in Ireland(but i dont know their history well) they all were called terrorist but one thing they didnt do is using their poor civilians sufferings to make their bellies bigger take all money live them in misery while they live the kings life. everyone knows well that the responsible of the occupation is not only israel or only Pals. its not the resistance either. but because of the market formed by the world and mainly by the both parties. occupation=money. many countries founded like isr. ur comment can be made by every dumb person in the world. futur palestine will be founded in the same way. so what if they were terrorist.
Sir, While exchange 1 Jew=1000 Arabs appears legitimate to many, still one saved Jewish life versus the many endangered by released murderers should be considered. Dealing with Hamas is wrong.
In the early days of the Israel, Jewish terrorist organizations Irgun and Lehi were incorporated into the IDF. The leaders of those terror organizations became leaders of the nation of Israel. The IDF has a legacy of terror and the large numbers of civilians killed in every IDF operation attest to its currency. As a member of that organization, Shalit is not entitled to any mercy. Israel can trade for him, giving Hamas what they want, or Shalit can disappear like Ron Arad did. All the chest beating, whining, and twisted reasoning in the world will not change those basic facts.
A 20-yr-old kid for 1000 terrorists? This just infuriates me. And how stingy and obscene can Hamas be. And to #2, you say this is blown out of proportion? Well, the difference is that Israel is a culture that values human life, while Hamas is not.
US does, however, support direct funding to terrorists like Abbas and full support of terrorists objectives as long as the target is Israel. When target is US, the US moves them to NY for center stage and denies terrorist attacks like Ft. Hood are terrorism.
President Obama is the biggest disaster of a US President in modern history, make the deal and bring Gilad home
Hamas should be asking for the release of hundreds of Palestinian children from Isreali detention Centres not political figures.
terrorist Hamas needed. Shalit affair is blown out of proportions -while of paramount importance for his family, it should not impinge on more general interests of the state and its population.
...No open hand to Hamas?... Anyway, who cares what he opposes!