Netanyahu told: Be brave and bring Shalit home

Palestinian prisoner swap. Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu has until Monday morning, Dec. 21, to deliver a final decision on whether to go through with the deal with Hamas for trading nearly a thousand Palestinian prisoners for the Israeli sergeant Gilead Shalit who has been in captivity more than four years. Monday morning, the security cabinet will hold its fourth session on the issue in 24 hours. Gilead Shalit's parents have won enormous popular support for the determined campaign they have run on behalf of their son whom Hamas kidnapped in a cross-border incursion. It is endorsed by many servicemen and their parents. However, DEBKAfile's sources report that heavy counter-pressure to reject Hamas' latest offer is coming from Israeli intelligence agencies, the United States and Egypt, which sent its intelligence minister General Omar Suleiman to Jerusalem Sunday to urge the Israeli government to hold back from the deal, because it would give Hamas a cheap victory. US president Barack Obama instructed US Middle East envoy George Mitchell to lean hard on the Israeli government. He has been on the phone repeatedly with the prime minister and defense minister's offices to warn them that giving in to Hamas would sign the death warrant of Middle East peacemaking. Noam and Aviva Shalit were on hand in Jerusalem awaiting an imminent decision. They poste an emotional message to the prime minister: "Our heart tells us that the negotiations have reached a point of no-return and the fate of our beloved son Gilead is close to a decision. We are therefore appealing to you before it is too late." Netanyahu has promised to see them Monday. Gen. Suleiman called on defense minister Ehud Barak and president Shimon Peres as Netanyahu's closest advisers with the following message: "You Israelis have gone completely mad. We are making every effort possible to force Hamas to bury the hatchet with Fatah and the Palestinian Authority. We are building an iron barrier deep underground to block arms smuggling into the Gaza Strip. Then, at the critical moment, you come along and offer Hamas a life-saver for backing away from a Palestinian reconciliation!" For the last four days, Hamas snipers have been firing at the Egyptian teams working on Iron Blind in the border town of Rafah. Yet the work goes on. DEBKAfile's sources disclose that the only problem standing in to the way of an Israel-Hamas prisoner deal is the destinations of the scores of hard-core terrorists "with blood on their hands" expecting to be freed. Israel wants them all removed from the country, while Hamas agrees to exile only a small number. December 20, 2009, 10:55 PM (GMT+02:00) http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=6424

in their backyards . After all the U.S., EU & hamas promote terrorism agenda under the banner of human rights . Don't they ! . Example : The Goldstone mandate and report . U.S. pressures to release terrorists fatah, England issue warrant arrest against Israelis. And hamas promote it's 'human rights agenda' by helping foreign lawyers prosecute Israelis .

Do not go through with this blackmailing. 1 for 1000 is NOT a good deal at all.

we want to set 1000s of murderers on the Jewish population in Israel?

If Bibi can not decide to bring home Shalite he won't have guts to bring peace.

Since a capitulation to the Hamas demands might cause Netanyahoo to fail to get re-elected, he will never agree to those demands. He should make this clear rather than cruelly raising the family's hopes.

...Hamas to ask for more and more, without end! Get out of the picture Mr. Shalit! You are hurting your son! The same to all those groupies...

This is not a decision made easy. Everyone in Israel would like Shalit back, EVERYONE. However, what makes Israeli society different from any other society in the world, Ms. Durson, is that every child is considered precious. This is practiced on a daily basis. Israel has to take into account, not just Gilad, but the potential children that will most likely be affected by the release of murderers. Would it be terrific if a decision was made quickly, absolutely. But do not think for a moment that Israel's hesitation is dithering. Who cares what Hamas thinks of this indecision. They have privilege of being indifferent about the lives of the people they claim to represent. Israel, however, is battling it's conscience and sometimes that takes a while.

Dithering may well be a good example. Pounding on the PM·s door, will not change a mind set vis a vis negotiations with terrorists. PM Netanyahu most certainly wishes for the safe return of Gilad Shalit. However, the price is preposterous. Get my drift, dude.

Shallit's parents should care for the Nation of Israel and the Land of Israel also and not just their son only. Compromising Israel's national security interests is a far worst sin than sacrificing your own son. The interests of the nation of Israel is paramount over personal interests. It is time Shallit's parents understand this. There are other ways to secure Shallit. Shallit's parents should support the Government and let them handle the situation without compromising the nation's interests.

Better to try a rescue attempt even if it proves unsuccessful.

An outrage. Israel should never have stopped the Gazan offensive until Shalit was part of the cease fire agreement.

This exchange rests solely on Bibi and his to mess up.

What a steep price to pay, one captured soldier for thousands held in Israelis jails.To many, this is dealing with a terrorist group,on the other hand it would free, hundreds, who has been arrested by Israel, not charged,committed no crimes,their only crime was being a Palestinian. Yes, while it doesn't seem fair, but Israel creates these scenarios,Israeli leaders has been so weak in the last 20 years, more elections and coalition governments.how could they possibilty make peace, when the rightist parties including Likud, doesn't want peace.Israel is great at saying the right things, but excellent at derailing peace. Should these men and women,held in Israeli jails,been non-Arabs,there would have been an outcry in the international community. Unfortunately for Shalit, your government is playing politics with you.While decieving the international community via settlemnts and land grabbing, you are a low priority.What a shame.

The poor judgment and hysterical behavior by Shalit's parents are reason the boy is still in captivity. Why would Hamas settle for anything less than every demand when the Shalits are banging on the PM's door demanding capitulation?

isreal has thousands of palestinians without real trials without courts and held for years

unless he can ensure that he is not the only one to agree with the cost for freeing Gilad Shalit. Let me make it clear this is not about Gilad Shalit, this is about Benjamin Netanyahu and wether he will be re-elected next year.

Israel has negotiated with the militants several times. On this particular issue all they can do is dither, haggling over the price they will pay for the return of their man. This has gone on for years. It is already established that Israel is willing to make a trade. It is already established that Hamas wants some prisoners released that Israel is disinclined to release. At this point, Israel should give a yes or a no and move on. Dithering makes them look weak and ineffective, which suits Hamas perfectly.