Netanyahu to Hamas: Prisoner swap deal for Shalit is up to you
'If Hamas wants a prisoner swap deal, it will happen,' the premier said in joint appearance with Berlusconi.
By Liel Kyzer Tags: Gilad Shalit Hamas Israel newsPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters on Tuesday that Hamas is the main obstacle to a prisoner swap involving captive Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit.
"If Hamas wants a deal, then it will happen," said Netanyahu, who appeared at a joint news conference with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in Jerusalem. "If it doesn't want a deal, then there won't be one."
"The choice is in its hands," the premier said.
"We have a goal of bringing home Gilad Shalit alive and well, and to do this in a way that won't enable terrorists to resume murderous acts," Netanyahu said.
Earlier Tuesday, a senior Hamas official told the BBC that talks for Shalit had broken down. Mahmoud Zahar said it was Netanyahu's personal intervention that caused "a big regression and retraction" in the negotiations.
The Israeli leader also repeated his call for the Palestinians to begin peace talks with Israel.
"I have expressed the government's willingness to immediately enter into negotiations with the Palestinians without preconditions," the prime minister said. "When there's a will, there's a way."
"We have the will and we also have the way to go forward toward peace," Netanyahu said. "I hope that soon the heads of the Palestinian Authority will also be convinced to embark on the path of peace."
The Italian premier said he will convey Israel's desire to see a resumption of peace negotiations during his meetings with Palestinian officials on Wednesday.
"Italy will be happy to make available to the Palestinian Authority and Israel a location in the country for the purpose of renewing talks and to incur the expenses for the Palestinian delegation," Berlusconi said. "You can trust us, we will do everything in order to give momentum for peace."
When asked about Iran, Berlusconi responded: "Iran's intention to utilize the nuclear option is something to which every country in the world needs to devote attention."
"We will do everything so that there won't be any indifference to this issue and to stop this plan," the Italian premier said.
Netanyahu said Israel seeks peace with all its Arab neighbors, though Jerusalem "views with gravity" Syria's continued armament of Hamas.
"We want peace with all of our neighbors, but to our sorrow Syria and Iran continue to supply Hamas with weapons," the premier said. "We view with gravity Hamas' activities in the Gaza Strip, which by a miracle has yet to result in loss of life in Israel, and we will respond to this accordingly."
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Berlusconi, right, and Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Tuesday. |
| Photo by: (Reuters) |
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Then when the war ends prisoners of war can be tried or released according to peace agreements. Hamas needs to end its war against Jews, and yes, I mean Jews, not just Israel. Read their charter.
It really makes me sick, when politicians try to do deals with terrorists! It does not work - they must be brought to justice, in international court in ICC and local courts. To set as a global example besides, upholding the great Universal Human Rights values and laws. Don't make a joke of such modern and precious heritage, fought so hard by the Allies in WW2, by submitting to terrorist ransoms and demands!
If they agree to give Israel Shalit AND a new wife for Bibi, negotiations will start to fly.
There is nothing to talk about with Hamas terrorist.
If Hamas has upped the ante, then Netanyahu must pay the price. It's Israel's aggression that caused the kidnapping in the first place. Israel currently holds 14,487 innocent Palestinian children under the age of 18 in its prisons. The price for Shalit is 2,450 prisoner of conscience, of whom 89% are under the age of 17. Who is the aggressor, and who seeks peace and justice?
Hamas believes one Jew is worth 1,000 Arabs..so do I. Still no deal. It will only get more Jews kidnapped. It will only get Jews killed. That Bibi will even consider it show his lack of judgement. Very sad.
You are right that there are many that see an advantage to keeping Shalit prisoner. However, it is not only Iran. It is also the extemist wing of the Israeli defense establishment, the 'settler complex', and various isolated groups on all sides. If negotiations are to be successful quickly, it may have to happen through Syria, but the settlers who recognize this are trying rapidly to isolate Syria from Israeli spheres of influence.
Netanyahu's first duty is to Israel's security. This is also the duty of the IDF and of soldier Shalit. As long as Hamas believes that Israel will give in, it will continue its blackmailing game. Those Israelis who demonstrate ceaselessly for giving Hamas anything they want are simply delaying Shalit's freedom... The savage murderers of Israeli civilians should never be released!
Shalit was a soldier, and there are risks at being soldier. We started this sort of negotiations trying to buy back the bodies of dead soldiers by releasing first rate terrorists and cold blood murderrers (of moyher and her kids in Naharia eor example. So for a living one the price climbed more than hundred foil. we got to stop it, let there be no illusions, when peace comes prisoners axchange will take place, otherwise it will grow in time and come for example to liberation against prime minister's head. (hey Hamas, have you tried this one?)
but bibi is fooling no one...he hasn't done anything but stay in office....how long till his fellow citizens demand he do something not just about shalit but everything else he hasn't done? which of course is everything...nothing ever changes for bibi
The political wing does not know where Shalit is being held only a small circle in the military wing of Hamas. This is done to protect Karl and Email. Mahmoud thus was tortured for the location and or the names of those that do know where. Hamas knows full well that negotiations have not stopped, killing is negotiations, Hamas cannot stop the negotiations, we will continue to talk. Bombings in Beirut on Hamas, Mahmoud. No one is safe inside or outside the strip, nor will they be. You set the price too high, a price Israel will not accept, cannot accept and thus now have nothing to lose. What it means is that Karl and Email are no longer immune from assassination as has been the case in recent years and targeted killing are not only conducted in the strip by the IDF. Iran says what is the rush to exchange Shalit, there is no rush it is up Karl and Email martyrs for Iran like Mahmoud?
The Hamas kidnappers should give up on this for the sake of their own people. They are leading them nowhere. Hamas only proves that they are losers who are starving their own people.
Bibi points finger at hamas for all is wrong. Hamas has no control over anything. Bibi is internationally recognized leader and Hamas a powerless organizatiion. Come on Bibi, we know your dirty ways, make a deal happen
I couldnt think of a better way to drag out results and get nowhere than to provide Abbas and his team all expense paid trips to Italy. I think Lake Como, Lake Garda, Firenza, Venezia would be nice venues. Why don't they invite Hamas for talks on Shalit, just think of all the "progress" they will make after 10 years. How about talks in Sderot and Ramallah? Nah- food is not as good.
... it is a great pity that Bibi feels so dependant on his herd of hard-liners...
"Get away closer" is a game in which you never want to reach the end. You play the game for appearances sake. When your shill pulls away, call him closer. If he comes too close, push him away. Netanyahu is not a natural player of this game because he is not credible when trying to get closer. Give him a "C" for effort. Personally, I think that Netanyahu would rather keep Israels Palestinian prisoners and let Shalit go visit with Ron Arad.