Israel likely to free 980 Palestinians for Shalit
Shalit parents meet FM, say neither 'encouraged nor ill at ease'; soldier reportedly to be brought to Egypt.
By Haaretz Service Tags: Gilad Shalit Hamas Israel newsIsrael is likely to free up to 980 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit, the State Prosecution announced on Sunday.
The prosecution was responding to a petition submitted to the High Court of Justice by a group of bereaved parents, requesting that the names of all Palestinian prisoners included in the prisoner swap be disclosed to the public.
According to the prosecution, Israel is likely to release the 450 prisoners requested by Hamas as part of the deal to see Shalit released after three years of captivity in the Gaza Strip.
Following that, said the prosecution, Israel would free another 530 prisoners as a "gesture to the Palestinians." The list of those prisoners has still not been finalized, said the prosecution.
None of the names of prisoners to be exchanged will be published until after a deal has been secured, according to the prosecution.
In its statement, the prosecution also wrote that the military censor is authorized to forbid any particular piece of information from being published in the media if publication could seriously harm the chances of Shalit's quick return.
The censor is also authorized to forbid any article that might increase the 'price' Israel would pay for Shalit and thus significantly harm the security of the state, said the prosecution.
Nonetheless, there is no practical way to carry out public negotiations against a bitter enemy, wrote the prosecution, adding that Israel is facing a terror organization that is holding a kidnapped soldier and is requesting the highest price for his release.
"Ambiguity on the part of Israel is absolutely necessary. Without ambiguity, it would not be possible to carry out effective negotiations and to realize the goal of bringing Gilad Shalit home," wrote the prosecution.
Shalit faily neither 'encouraged nor ill at ease'
The abducted soldier's parents met on Sunday with Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, as Israel and Hamas reportedly were preparing to seal the prisoner swap deal.
"I am not feeling encouraged nor am I ill at ease," Noam Shalit told reporters on his way into the meeting. "We are still waiting."
Media reports last week predicted that a prisoner exchange deal could be completed by Monday.
Israel and Hamas came closer to the prisoner deal last week when officials said Israel had dropped objections to releasing 160 prisoners. According to Germany's Der Spiegel, the deal will secure the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in total, 450 in the first phase and the remaining 550 later.
The Voice of Palestine radio station said Saturday that Shalit would be transferred in coming days to Egypt, which has been mediating for his release.
However, media sources have reported a snag in the talks over some 70 to 100 names of Palestinian prisoners which Israel is not willing to release - including Fatah's West Bank secretary general, Marwan Barghouti.
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"Israel and Hamas came closer to the prisoner deal...." The price of a loved one. Whatever it takes to redeem a loved one. "..a group of bereaved parents.." The question to ask here is what the price is for Shalit or/and Peace. If peace in addition then we need to make peace with God; by offering a peace offering and that should be the 1000 regardless of size of sin-why because we have elephant sins as well, which we need forgiven. Shalit is alive thank God-should we protect the dead or the living? ask King Solomon. The point is look at it from the Torah aspect, eventually Israel will live in peace in their own land but also the time line will allow us to accept forgiveness of sins and in return acceptance of peace. What we are doing looks crazy as well as stupid but we would like to share a bit of what we are known all over the world. For God so loved the world that He gave ??.John 4:16. We believe in a God of Love and forgiveness, who can count all that God has forgiven us for to date
Just because it's female, doesn't mean that it's cute and innocent Best they stay in the can where they're snug as a bug in a rug, and can't harm anyone else
Okay then...all the women and girls of every age...
Include the juveniles that were detected wearing bomb vests, trying to sneak through check points Read and pay attention to American media, 12 year olds are out there killing and stealing, so age isn't a factor in determining guilt American reformatories are filled with under 16's, older than that, they're packed off to jails
"Go on over and pick out the inncoent, you can`t determine it from a distance of 7000 miles" Okay...everyone under the age of 16.
Go on over and pick out the inncoent, you can't determine it from a distance of 7000 miles
Some of them simply must be innocent, if only because I can't believe that all 10,000 are guilty....
Since you claim some of them are innocent, why not go over and pick them out and review their cases personally?
Of the thousands of Palestinians being held in Israeli jails, at least 980 will be released, which is a very good thing. And before you all start screaming "Terrorists!!" remember that by Israel's own admission some of these people have not had trials and some are minors....
"poor Gilad`s position of being held captive in a dark cellar for 4 years" How do you know he's being held in a dark cellar????!!!
"#1 DAve Austin - Tell meDo you have any verifiable statistics and sources to back up your claims?" Just as important...does Ramin have any proof of his claim? BTW: Where have you been, Ben Jabo? I haven't seen you post for quite a while. I hope you had a very nice Thanksgiving:)
If nothing else, it shows one Israeli life is worth 1000 Arab lives. That seems to be the current market price and not likely to drop down soon; the supply on one side will be empty, anouncing further spiraling danger. I am happy for the Shalit family, I am sad for the future victims.
thousands of Settlers in Palestinians jails. Commom man, be serious.!
try to stay on tract and talking about prisoners from both sides.
there are almost 9000 P NEVER been charged for thjeir crimes/ What crimes?? that is why they haven't been charged, as it is very difficult to try to get something stuck to each of them.
When you think that there are hundreds of them CHILDREN, and women.
There will be still some 10 000 more remaining behind for the next SWAPS. Nobody loosers except of course the families of the Prisonners.Long and PAINFUL Waiting !! Why carrying on taking prisoners when sooner or later, all of them will have to be freed. A Waisting money exercise for the states, (keeping them in prisons or hiding them by the others)consequently building up hates alround to whoever does the killings and successful kidnapping. Anyway if that is the way the world go round, then GOOD LUCK to you all.
I realize I still have doubts that a deal is possible with radicial Arabs with any Arabs to them Israel has to be annihilated exterminated destroyed alas this sounds and so seems logicial to them this logic is understandable under these conditions as Amerca the West the world adds fuel to this thus how may a deal be agreed up on 1 000 2 000 wouild Hamas live up to its own end how RIGHT ??? Thank You... M. S.
which puts the burden of proof on YOU! but the fact IS that israel utilizes what it calls "administrative detentions", by which it can hold palestinians indefinitely WITHOUT them being charged, without a lawyer, and without contact with their families.
I just heard of a recent incident that occurred in the occupied territories... a 13 year old boy was asked for his ID, which according to the law, one does not have to carry until age 16. The boy was beaten severely for not having it on him, and died later of his beating. true story, never made the news, as this isn't news.
Prayers to all involved, the Shalit family, Egyptian and German mediators, and of course the government that decided that Gilad's life is worth any price. As the mother of a past IDF soldier I agree with any number of terrorists for our sons.
You and others on this board like to call others anti semite or jew hater. If I had a problem with lynching Blacks in the south of the good old USA in the first half of the 1900s, Would you call me a nigger lover . or If I had a problem with using Native American chidren as target practice in the 1800s. Would you say I sided with the savages. I have a problem with what happened to Iman Al-Hams does that make me anti semitic. In that case I'm proud of it. Please excuse my spelling. I guess I'm not as civillized as you
Haven't you heard of the 1500 people Israel killed in Gaza last winter? --the majority of whom were women, children, and innocent people.. that's according to the Goldstone report. Goldstone is a Zionist Jew. Now a country that has no problem killing that many civilians is a terrorist country headed by a terrorist government. It's funny you're asking for "data" to prove Palestinian prisoners are innocent. People are innocent by default- if you claim otherwise you need to show us your data.
'Most of the people in jail are there because they broke some law,' So Dave why isn't Israel in jail for breaking International and HUMANITARIAN law? The clock is ticking!
"Most of the people in jail are there because they broke some law, attacked an Israeli civilian or soldier. Instead of dwelling on Palestinian propaganda, show me proper statistics, or shut your gob you anti-Semite." And why not enlighten us with some of YOUR data that claims all Palestinians imprisoned by Israel are there for "crimes"? Show us proper statistics, or you may be quiet yourself, dear anti-Semite.
This is outrageous & sets a dangerous precedent. All it does is encourage more kidnappings. Hamas & the other terrorist organizations know that in order to free their comrades they need to abduct more Israel soldiers.
... not much chance for gradation or subtlety... ... otherwise we would not hold 11,000 Pal prisoners for years & years...
It's the Arabs that claim that the Jews are superior. Not the Jews.
One Israeli = 1000 Palestinians. That's how the Palestinians value themselves (actually, they wanted it to be 1:1500). Now if an Israeli claimed that his life was worth that of 1000 Palestinian lives, he would be labeled a racist.
No negotiations. Consider him a statistic, a casualty and let them keep him... and then he will be of no value to them and they can return him for other, reasonable concessions. While most of those being released are probably small time troublemakers, it is doubtless that a large number are true terrorists with the intention to return to causing great harm to israeli civilians, so no, it is not justified to release them for one single person. Also - what is the deal with Shalit's parents meeting various govt officials. I know this is very insensitive, but its not as thought their meeting does/should have any effect on anything. They are basically taking up administrative time of high-ranking civil servants, and to no end. I would be proud to hear that my elected official said to them - listen, I am sorry about your son, we are doing what we can, but meeting you will have no effect on that and I have a full workload this week.
Um, If you were in poor Gilad's position of being held captive in a dark cellar for 4 years, you'd want someone to free you, too. Stop being so cruel and think about someone besides yourself.
Israel is not America... Israel does not need to maintain a Industrial complex in the form of improper incarceration of ethnic minorities to help maintain a failing capitalistic system... Those pals who are in jail are there for a reason... cuss they broke the law... Not to mentionAmerica's illegal involvement in guantanamo bay... Try doing some research before posting again...
"Ambiguity on the part of Israel is absolutely necessary. Without ambiguity, it would not be possible to carry out effective negotiations and to realize the goal of bringing Gilad Shalit home," wrote the prosecution. They dont care that for one Israeli, 450 murderers of Israelis will be freed... This deal must not go threw... An acceptable deal would be the re-opening of borders for the re-lease of shalit... for if one israeli jew is worth 980 pals... how many jews must be abducted to free all pals in jail? This deal as is would set a dangerous president, that no even minded country should pursue...
Hey Dave, since you are so knowledgeable about prisoners in Israeli jails, can you prove to me that they are all innocent? By the way, you cannot even spell that word correctly. Most of the people in jail are there because they broke some law, attacked an Israeli civilian or soldier. Instead of dwelling on Palestinian propaganda, show me proper statistics, or shut your gob you anti-Semite.
What Israel needs to do is release every single one of the 9,400 out of the 10,000 prisoners they are holding without charge or trial. Instead, they pretend like they're making "gestures" to the Palestinians by releasing an extra 550 prisoners that shouldn't have been there in the first place.
No normal Govt will release 980 terrorists for any reason. This is a clear and obvious danger to Israeli society. Moreover, this will only encourage them to capture another soldier G-d forbid. Israel has other options to free Shalit. Now is the time to use them.
not because of care for the 1 but because of maintaining public relations good personal image. Master bargainers, i mean baters
These things NEVER get publicized. This never happened throughout history. The weak paid tribute to the strong, not the other way around! Israel is different b/c we have moral backbone but nobody recognizes it. I for one agree- get Gilad home ASAP at any price within reason. Not just to save a Jewish (more importantly innocent human being's) life. But also to get a complete withdrawal from Gaza. So we don't have to base our decisions with regard to Gaza off of Gilad's safety.
Do you have any verifiable statistics and sources to back up your claims?
I am sure some Palestinians are in jail without charges. Sorrowfully this is a problem with all countries. The court systems are not adequate to handle all the red tape involved in the proceedings. But i can assure you that the Israeli jail and justice system is a lot better than that of the Palestinian and all the other Arab bourts...if they have courts.
force. Without kidnappings, these Palestinians would have never seen the light of the day. All Palestinians imprisoned before 1993, who should have been released as part of the piece deal negotiated in Oslo, are still languishing in Israeli jails. Only more kidnappings will do get them out. We have Hizbullah to thank for making this abundantly clear. There is precedent for releasing terrorists in Israel: all Israeli settler killers of Palestinians are roaming the streets free!
Let them go. If need be they can always be terminated. In prison they just eat away at Israel's resources. It is ok to let them out - they make great targets.
Ramin, why do they all have to be terrorists? is not a palestinian that assaults a border cop a criminal liable to be imprisoned? do they all have to be "terrorists"? prisoners, not terrorists. and yeah, im sure they were all just drinking tea and smoking a hookah when they got arrested...
They know that Barghouti is probably the only person who can unite all the Palestinian factions and negotiate a lasting settlement with Israel. But Israel prefers to continue the occupation and the slow motion ethnic cleansing of East Jerusalem, so they keep him in prison as a political prisoner.
Whether "terrorists" or not; they would not be in an Israeli prision unless they had done somthing wrong and against the State of Israel. Did you read the list of charges for the last released of people (which gained the tape)? Speaking of guilt and innocence; I suppose you think Gilad was 'guilty' of something?
It seems foolish to me to make an exchange of one soldier for 980 criminals and terrorists, who will be made heroes upon their return to Palestinian territories, and, who, no doubt, will be getting involved in further terrorist plots. As much as I grieve for the parents of Shalit and the 3 years of illegal imprisonment by Hamas terrorists, appeasing the enemy by allowing its troops to return home is simply not justifiable. No deals with terrorists. When Hamas lays down its arms and will negotiate with the PA for a two State solution, that's when we should talk to them. Negotiating with Terrorists is treasonous and cowardly.
Let me guess, all Palestinians are terrorists to you. Most Palestinians in Israeli prisons are innoncent and have not been charged with anything.
I wonder what does Gilad will say about them , how they treated him , what does he think about Gaza war ???!!!! interesting
Thank God, this ordeal will finally come to an end. Let us pray that those released will not cause harm to Israel, but work for peace.
Or were they by any chance all innocent????? I doubt any country would free 980 "terrorists"!
There are NO or very few clean hands on either side! Peace must be negotiated by the "guilty" Jewish or Palestinian thats what never ending war tends to do to both sides! PEACE EVER?
This has to stop. Either give in to Hamas' list or tell them to drop dead. Totally ridiculous ..and sorrowfully I blame it on the Israeli side. The rules have to change. Israeli soldiers, their parents, as well as the enemy need to know that in the future a lost soldier is lost or exchanged one to one. It will be quicker and more sensible..... if anything can be called sensible in the Middle East.