Report: Netanyahu is delaying deal for Shalit release

That'll be the day.

They do the crime they do the time Still 1000 to 1 is extortion, not an aexchange Pop into your bank, give them a dollar, ask for a thousand, you'll land either out on the sidewalk or in the locked ward of the nearest asylum

Efraim Halevy, he stated last week in an interview in Canada's national magazine, Maclean's, the following: " I believe Israel should try to work toward a situation where Hamas would be part of the solution, and not part of the problem. Hamas is not a movement with a religious leadership. It is a secular movement. It will take time, but Hamas has already moved from its original positions....If we resort to an ideological confrontation, it will go on forever. What we need to do is to bring Hamas to a point where it will understand that it is in its interest to reach an accommodation with Israel." I currently started reading Efraim Halevy's "Man in the Shadows" and hopefully I'll gain a better understanding of this Middle East conflict!

Let's hope the German government are mature enough to overlook the silly jibe at the mediator which is attributed to the Israeli source close to the negotiations. This is the creation of a tired mind, unwilling to engage with international realities and reaching for the first infantile insult they can think of. We could charitably call it a piece of theatre, and I hope the Germans will see it as such. But let's hear from some Israeli decision-makers capable of maintaining one of the best relationships the State of Israel is going to have short of a successful final status negoation.

The IDF has been arresting about 100 a week for the past several weeks. It's like stocking up before Christmas in anticipation of the January White Sales. And that includes inside towns where the IDF is not supposed to be operating. By the time any deal is actually made, the equivalent 1000 or so will already be back in stock, in spades.

Gilad Shalit is a soldier, one could argue that because he is a soldier he is a legitimate target for kidnapping, he is on the same level as a Hamas militant, even if he has no blood on his hands now, what's to say that he was not going to be involved in operation Cast lead? the political prisoners have virtually no blood on their hands, they are free men living under occupation, which they have the right to resist. Israel will not have a choice but to release them, especially with Shilat's family making as much noise as they are.

political prisioners? Excuse me, Bargouti and others are killers and as killers they have been fairly sentenced to life imprisonment. Gilad Shalit did not kill anybody why a 23 years old must be changed with BUTCHRS? Do you think it is correct? Palestinian killers have they same right of the killers of the rest of the world to stay in prision for what they did. They have to thank Israel that there is no dead penalty and they are still alive, BUT WILL NOT GET FREE. We will get Shalit in other ways.

"but of course, I am just a fantasy loving child in a world full of "realistic" adults." Welcome to the crowd you fantasy loving child. there are a lot of us out here who agree with you.

Turning up the political heat on Hamas will do no good. It only adds to the their suffering, which in their eyes is just so much more guarantee of a first-class ticket to Paradise. However, I agree with you that planning for a military rescue is the only way Israel may get Shalit back. It is time to locate, isolate, and kidnap Shalit. Very risky. Very daring. This is a job for Mossad. They snatched Eichmann from under the noses of those who harbored him. They must do the same for Shalit. But first, the political showoffs in Israel must decide to give up their favorite little entertainment package, and resolve to act rather than moan and groan and huff and puff. I wonder if they have the gumption?

What you suggest here is a beautiful and reasonable solution to the problem. But you are overlooking one major factor. Hamas and Islamic Jihad are fundamentalist sects of Islam. The Hamas charter is a vow made to Allah. To make peace with Israel means denying that vow, denying their faith. They would become the worst kind of heretics, beyond all forgiveness. They will die as faithful fundamentalist Muslims before they take such a step.

The vast majority of the prisoners Israel is holding aren't "POLITICAL", FYI most are criminals and terrorists The fact that a terrorist become a politician doesn't make him innocent of his terrorist activities Israel would have to be nuts to release a 1000 for 1, next time your guys will kidnap 2 and expect 2,000 terrorsts to be release in exchange

Israeli commandos should sneak into Gaza, kidnap someone important, and then trade that VIP for Schalit. All other prisoners remain prisoners.

The amount of people Hamas is asking for 1 soldier is ridiculous, and I am a Muslim saying this. I do have to commend the people of Israel though. I am a Muslim, who admires how the Israeli's value their people. If the whole world valued their people like that, including the people of other nations, the world woul be an easier place to get along in.....but of course, I am just a fantasy loving child in a world full of "realistic" adults.

At least Netanyahu is smarter than the rest who seems to think 1 versus 1000 exchange is a good deal.

Better to plan for a military rescue and immediately turn up the economic and political heat on Hamas by reducing water, fuel and electricity deliveries.

changing its outlook towards acceptance of the Jewish State, accepting agreements the PA established with Israel and ending belligerency towards Israel for such a difficult exchange. This would lead to a better path towards negotiating a final status agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. In reality, it's not the number of prisoners released but rather the outcome of proceeding to the next stage of diplomacy to end the conflict once and for all. It's achievable if there's a will by all leaderships. That's my opinion.

It's apparent, the Shalit negotiations are different. This will not be the Hezbollah exchange fiasco... where the Israelis were taken for fools. Exchanging body parts for a murderer like Kuntar. The Netanyahu administration are not Olmert or Livni. Meshal and the rest of his cronies, may seek advice from Nasrallah. They may even consult with Iranian envoys in Damascus. But that's not gonna sway Netanyahu or Uzi Arad. Hamas will once and for all, come to understand that this Israeli administration will not compromise on security. The price for Gilad Shalit will need to stand on it's own merits.

if israel wants their soldier back, they have no choice but to release the palestinian political prisoners. unfortunately, there aren't any other options. israel needs to swallow it and make peace for the benefit of its people and the palestinian people.

I know I'm getting pretty cynical, but I think the hold up is about whether or not to release Barghouti. I think that Israeli leaders realize that Barghouti has the potential to unify the Palestinians. Every time the Palestinians have been unified under a single leader, Israel has done everything possible to disempower that leader. Disunified Palestine is then dismissed as "not being a able to be a partner for peace".

Netanyahu talks big but does nothing but procrastinate. His office should be commensurate with his abilities. Make him President. Then all he will have to do is shed crocodile tears over Shalit, smile benvolently, and bless the crowd gathered in front of the Knesset each week. Come on Bibi! The world expects you to say no; but if you say yes, then you will be remembered for 40 years! Think positively! Is one Israeli soldier worth a thousand Palestinians or not?

Hamas' imprisonment, incommunicado, of Shalit, who was taken prisoner on Israeli territory is clearly in violation of international principles. So, we ask, why does not Israel pull out all of the stops in a political-diplomatic struggle to free him? Why does Israel even consider releasing 1,000 prisoners, many of whom have killed Israeli civilians, in return for Shalit? The answer must be that those who have no regard for international law are not able to resort to it even when they have a just cause. The price tag for flaunting the international community: probably many deadly attacks by released prisoners. For the first time this year I agree with Netanyahu; it is self-destructive to even consider such a lopsided agreement.

Haaretz quote "Iran, known to be Hamas's financial and ideological backer."