Report: Top Hamas officials in Damascus to discuss Shalit swap
German FM: Premature talk could jinx Shalit deal; Mediators have made breakthrough, says Al-Hayyat.
By Jack Khoury, Jonathan Lis, Avi Issacharoff, Liel Kyzer and Barak Ravid Tags: Israel newsA Palestinian delegation involved in the negotiations in Cairo to free abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit arrived in Damascus to discuss finalizing the deal with Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshal, Arabic news station Al Arabiya reported Tuesday.
According to the report, Israel has refused to release some prisoners to neighboring countries, preferring to send them elsewhere instead.
Meanwhile, visiting German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Tuesday refused to discuss the negotiations underway in Cairo to free Shalit, a deal German officials have been mediating between Israel and Hamas.
After meeting Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Westerwelle said he hoped an agreement could be reached shortly, but warned that premature elaboration could thwart a positive outcome.
For his part, Lieberman also refused to offer a stance on the matter, saying: "I will discuss the matter when I know all the details."
Despite Israeli sources' predictions that the cabinet would give its majority approval to the deal, Lieberman said "the decision won't be easy." Each of the ministers in his Yisrael Beiteinu party would vote according to their personal sentiment, he said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that the prisoner swap deal with Hamas has still not been reached, despite growing reports of significant breakthroughs over the last few days.
The prime minister pledged that as soon as the sides finalized an agreement, the deal would be brought to the cabinet and to the Israeli public for discussion.
"We will not avoid a public discussion nor take this as a chance for underhanded opportunism," the prime minister promised during a visit to the Israel Police headquarters. "We will allow cabinet ministers and the public to debate the issue."
He made his remarks as a group of bereaved parents petitioned the High Court of Justice to force the government to fully disclose the details of any exchange deal made with Hamas.
"There is still no deal and I don't know if there will be," Netanyahu said. "Right now, we can't make decisions on something that has not been finalized. Nothing has been finalized, and there is no deal yet."
Trade Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer said earlier Tuesday, however, that Israel and Hamas are closer than ever to securing a deal with Hamas for Shalit's release.
Ben-Eliezer told Army Radio that the price for Shalit's release was difficult, but "in the end, the government will have to decide - and I hope the decision will be for the best."
'Barghouti to be freed in Shalit swap'
Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti - currently serving five life sentences in an Israeli jail - will be one of the Palestinian prisoners freed in exchange for Shalit, the Al-Hayyat daily reported on Tuesday.
According to the report, the German officials mediating the negotiations between Israel and Hamas have made significant breakthroughs since their arrival in Cairo on Monday.
The Arabic-language news station Al Arabiya, meanwhile, reported that a Hamas delegation that arrived in Cairo would discuss the issue with the German mediator.
In recent days Netanyahu has been working to ensure that the cabinet will approve the deal. At a meeting in his office a few days ago, the possibility was raised of submitting the agreement to a limited forum before presenting it to the entire cabinet for approval.
The idea is to create momentum to push the deal through. Also discussed was the possibility of having the security cabinet, or the entire cabinet, authorize Netanyahu, or a limited forum to approve a deal.
"There is no deal yet and I can't yet know whether there will be a deal," Netanyahu told Likud ministers on Monday. "It doesn't depend only on us. On the other side, too, there are various positions and indecision. It is still unclear what will happen, what will be proposed and what we will agree to."
Netanyahu said he plans to hold a broad discussion on the matter in the Knesset and cabinet. He met Monday night with Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin. Observers say he is likely to bring the proposal to the full Knesset for discussion, but to submit it for a vote in the cabinet only. A few MKs are trying to persuade the prime minister to have the Knesset vote.
"There will be a public discussion and there will be a discussion in the Knesset on the issue, which must be approved by the cabinet," Netanyahu reportedly said at the meeting. "There is still no discussion in the faction or in the cabinet because there is still no deal."
Netanyahu says the decision "is between two poles: on the one hand, the desire to take care of our soldiers and bring them home, sometimes at the cost of endangering lives - a very important value for our people and in Jewish tradition - and on the other, avoiding the encouragement of future abductions."
The Prime Minister's Bureau broke its recent silence on the issue Monday, releasing a statement alluding to reports in the Arab and international press. "Recently many details originating from abroad and the foreign media have been published; they are unauthorized, and some are intentionally distorted," the bureau said. "The efforts toward Shalit's release have always been kept away from the media's gaze and [Netanyahu] does not intend to revisit the issue."
Cabinet still not decided on Shalit vote
Many cabinet members have not yet decided how to vote if a deal is submitted to the cabinet. Ministers from Labor and Shas are likely to support it, while those from Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu are likely to present the greatest obstacle.
Likud ministers are refusing to say how they will vote, and a few, speaking on condition of anonymity, have hinted that they might vote against an agreement.
Hamas' delegation in Cairo includes Ahmed Jabri, the head of Hamas' military wing and senior Hamas figures Mahmoud al-Zahar, Ayman Taha and Salah al-Bardawil.
Syria-based Hamas members of the delegation are expected to return home after the talks to brief the head of the organization's political bureau, Khaled Meshal. Only after that will Hamas' position on the German mediator's latest proposals be known. According to the American Arabic-language television network Alhurra, the mediator left Israel Monday night for Egypt.
The Hamas newspaper Al-Risalah reported that the deal for Shalit's release would be carried out shortly after the end of the Islamic holiday Id al-Adha, which begins on Friday and ends on Monday. The paper said the sticking point was a single prisoner whom Hamas wants freed, although other sources say this report is unreliable.
Egyptian sources added Monday that there are a number of open issues and that they did not expect the swap to happen within the next week.
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Abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. |
| Photo by: (Reuters) |
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The article on the subject of Gilad Shalit in Ha'aretz, beginning on page 1 and continuing on page 2, published today shows a picture of a mural of Gilad Shalit (page 2). On the mural Gilad Shalit is painted wearing spectacles. The material shown on television of Gilad Shalit do not show him with spectacles. How it is possible than this mural does show him wearing glasses? Dit the painter of the mural see Gilad Shalit wearing glasses? A minor detail, but it struck me. Minny
Well its both you and Natalie Durson dishing it out. I have not even bothered to reply to her posts because I know her level of intellect to well, as for you as we writing the posts why has Israel reacted the way it did for fun???
that would help create a lack of incentive for hamas and other terrorist groups to kidnap Israelis to swap. besides, why is it that a convicted mutliple murdering terrorist is hanging out in jail on the Israeli govt's dime anyways?
You are going back over 1,400 years ago to point out injustices done to the Jews. Natalie is talking about injustices done to the Palestinians right now by Israel as we write these posts ! Just because people have done the Jews harm in the past justifies Israel's criminal and illegal behavior? Please tell me who is dishing out "crap", you or Natalie Durson?
Shalit should be held as long as every last pal prisoner is held. Shalit also has blood on his hands for killing inocent pal civilians. If pal prisoners are held for 30 years then he too must serve 30 yrs. Enough of this crap about the IDF not targeting civilians, they have killed more civilans in the modern era then almost any army.
Hey Swish, Why don't you stop posting stupid and untimely comments. I have yet to see anything you write that makes sense. You do not even use your own name unless it is up to the rest of us to guess.
Let the exchange happen, then thwart the Israelis by restraining the rocket fire. Don't give the Israeli politicians an excuse. Make peace and let God sort out what's what. Get revenge by voting in the one-state that is inevitable if Netanyahu doesn't change. That is Bibi's worst nightmare. You can make it happen. God knows who Captain, now promoted to Major R actually is. He knows who is who on both sides.
"The Palestinians struck out against the Jews only after the Jewish invasion started." What a bunch of ignorant crap. Jews lived throughout the Middle East for ages. Jews lived in Israel itself long before the Arab conquest of the 600s. Arab pogroms against Jews occurred in the Middle East with the advent of that conquest and throughout subsequent history in the Middle East. Jews were not allowed to ride horses or to build houses higher than their non-Jewish neighbours and were also prohibited from exercising the basic right of self-defense - for centuries in the Middle East. And more anti-Jewish massacres by Arabs in Israel itself, such as in Jaffa, Hebron and more, took place decades before Jews regained majority, and decades before Arabs there began calling themselves "Palestinians". Cheap Jew-hate such as yours is clear and cold as ice.
The Palestinians struck out against the Jews only after the Jewish invasion started. Considering that the goals of the Zionists were well known, do you expect that the Jewish invaders should have received a warm reception? Even now, after Israel has taken so much, they cannot stop themselves from taking everything in sight. This is not an attractive picture. Only self deceiving, pro-Israel people can put this aside and cheer for Israel to carry on as before.
to the grieving families of prior Israeli victims. If the Pals believe they have a back door out of prison, then they will be greatly encouraged to perpetuate violence against Jews. Big mistake
It's been hard to keep completely up to date on things for the last few years from the US. Does anyone know when the last confirmed proof-of-life was? Is this for sure a live trade? Or is it to bring the body of Shalit home? I'm not trying to stir up trouble, I don't know and was just concerned for Shalit & family.
... one has to remind you of atrocities that we Israelis have suffered in the past... if we pin-point targeted any key Pal terrorist, the result was horrendous bus-bombings and cafe-blasting, killing and maimning scores of civilians at a time, most often young people... one must be as even-handed as possible in judging and scoring up the levels of hurt and hate that have accumulated on both sides...
Israel has always been ingenious in tackling threats against its interests with novel, brave and often brilliant solutions. Yet in this Schalit case it has acted in the most mundane manner. And if a release is truly on the cards what additional grief it will bring to those families in Israel who have suffered terrible pain at the loss of loved ones by those rightly belong (and should remain) in jail, and what cudos it brings to a terrorist organization like Hamas, obviously leading the people of Gaza to increasing misery. Surely Israel should have used its well honed ideas to settle this one too. How easy just to snatch a few of the top Hamas men in Gaza (say the top 10) and hold them until Schalit is let go. Thats the language they understand. It is unfair to the innocent citizens of Israel to release over 400 trialed murderers back into the wild. Guy Slowik
The Israelis are the invaders and they are still expanding the invasion on a regular basis. By any law or standard that you care to name, this entitles the Palestinians to resist and fight back. In the unlikely event that Israel opts for peace, there is still many generations of hate and resistance yet to come as a result of Israels past actions. If Hamas are considered terrorists for targetting civilians, then the IDF are super terrorists because they kill far more civilians than Hamas ever has. The actions of the IDF give Hamas all the moral justification they will ever need to continue to resist against any Israeli target. Wishful thinking and chest pounding will not lead to solutions. In the end, the Palestinians, or thier surrogates will obtain a weapon which will level the playing field (in a very literal manner). Only this will make the Israelis truely desire peace. They have no stomach for a fair fight.
for the ending of the jail sentence of the 3000 + Pallestinians too. Thanks.
"Ref the morality of releasing him, one man`s terrorist is another`s freedom fighter, it just depends which side you are on..."
I wish Gilad, and the thousands of Palestinians prisoners,will be soon FREE, and that their families could enjoye their their presence at HOME. Let us hope that PEACE NEGOCIATIONS is on the way, so that the sufferings of millions of JEWS and ARABS can come to a HAPPY ending. Let us Hope that All the Politicians of the Quartet, succeed in their hard and complicated endeavour. Let us hope too that The Saudi Peace Initiative will be of help to the PARTIES. Sllaam
with his demand on Sharon not to respond to the Dolphinarium bombing (20 Israeli teenage girls murdered),lest "the peace process would be scuttled". It took hundreds other murdered Israelis before oaf Sharon had finally responded. Wishes of German Foreign Ministers should not be granted ,and ,weren't Germans also "the meduiators"in "Kuntar for bodies" deal?
Shalit release imminent or not, we are tired and constantly humiliated.We are people who have the right to live in dignity and respect. the Western powers made us eternal victims and low class humans. Enough. Release our heros and Mujadins amessed in Israel and US prisons.
remember this when israel's crimes in gaza are avenged. please inform israel of this natural physical reaction which awaits only the right time and place.
"I must say that on the market it`s obvious jews are of great value." Yes, in Cast Lead the death rate was 100 to 1.
The Palestinians need a new leader to energise things and heal the breach with Hamas and Barghouti is probably the only one who could pull this off. Ref the morality of releasing him, one man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter, it just depends which side you are on. It would be better if the freedom fighters did not resort to terror tactics. But it worked out OK for Irgun and Stern, whose principals went on to high office in the state of Israel. Can't have this morality both ways.
Around the world, there are millions who are unjustly imprisoned and suffering, because of tyrannical regimes and wish that someone could bring them back. Such is the state of the world. Here, I feel for the families of the terror victims who have already lost their lives. They feel that their loved ones have in a way been betrayed, if these people are let out. Also I agree w/Nora from Tel-Aviv about a guy like Barghouti versus another. But Shalit is alive, and has parents and a country and a people whose history has been filled with the most horrendous moral dilemnas. Remember the Sonder Commandos? The good and the right must prevail. How will Israel live w/itself if it turns its back on Gilad? Ron Arad tried to escape after five years. Was he shot while trying to escape? Did he die in the wilderness? They will keep on holding him UNTIL they get a deal. There is NO WAY around it..And they will get WHOM they want. That's just the way it is. "Zeh hou".
... "Fortuitous" because it's good for Israel at this time... ... as for the term "murderer" for Barghouti, maybe it can be taken with a small pinch of salt... at any rate, it was not Teital-style...
Silvan Shalom told the BBC in London yesterday that Marwan Barghoutti and Ahmad Saadat would NOT be released. Given he is a Deputy PM and Likud, it sounds like he should know something about it. It also sounds like this is the last-minute sticking point, with Hamas demanding these two be included and Israel refusing or insisting that they must be exiled to Greenland or somewhere. We can be sure Netanyahu doesn't want Barghouti on the Palestinian political stage, he would shake things up and provide some real opposition to the continued occupation. He is also the most likely person to bridge the divide between Fatah and Hamas, which Israel doesn't want bridged - divide and rule is a lot easier.
You can't have it both ways. You say all the time all the palestinians are ennemies, antisemites and want to throw the jews to the see. If you are right what importance has to liberate a few hundred? If they decide to renew terrorists attacks they surely can find thousands of candidates in the millions of "ennemies". And if the only ones who are potential terrorists are those in israeli prisons, why not make peace with all the others transforming them in allies?
Well kidnapping certainly pays in spades. Hamas no doubt are organising the next one right now. Why not? I would too! Mossad admitted some time ago that they knew of Gilad's whereabouts. That was the time to go in with force... regardless of the consequences. Hamas should have been given the message that kidnapping would be a painful experience for the kidnappers. Instead they have been rewarded.
"Fortuitous" is not a very nice word to use when releasing known murderers. In the "best interests" of forming a cohesive Palestinian government which can negotiate a credible peace deal is closer. Then again, you sympathize with terrorists in such a nauseating manner.
the the terrorists and the people of gaza have paid a very heavy price for this hamas adventure of illegally kidnapping shalit. try to remember that all crime is eventually punished. try to encourage hamas to keep the peace.
If you are Bargouti with 5 life sentences , you will be freed. But if you are Shmargouti (with no one to care for you) you will stay in prison, let`s say 60 years instead of 90. Fair enough, isn`t it ?
Let them take bus to work ,as potential victims of their vote do
... he is a positive Pal personality, also vis-a-vis Israel... ... the Pals are in need of leadership... ... Israel needs a serious effective Pal leader with whom to deal...
This is actually a great chance for progress Abbas moves into graceful retirement Barghouti replaces him, with much more popular support, and puts in place understandings with Hamas to reunify WB/Gaza then the negotiations get back on track
I must say that on the market it's obvious jews are of great value.
Violent resistance against us pays off for you, peaceful conduct doesn't.... ....that has become THE (crazy) Israeli "brand" over the past 2 decades.
Whoever is the spokesman at Fox News for Hamas reported yesterday that Hamas had agreed to everything. That was in JPost yesterday. Isn't that official enough?
kidnappings? Where is the wisdom in this? I'm still looking. That blood will be on Bibi's hands and all those who support this decision.
my heart goes out to Gilad and family, but my heart goes out stronger to the hundreds of THOUSANDs of Jews that will die, and all the soliders that will be kidnapped because we negotiate with terrorists. Don't be weak suckers, Israel. Don't let Hamas exploit your good conscience and use it to trap you into far more pain and suffering!
Free all terrorists so they can kill more Jews. Yes. That's the new deal. I hope you're not the unlucky one. The Cabinet should be locked up.
(1) Independent mediator/overseer appointed with office in the Old City for the Temple Mount. His job and those of his staff will be to monitor all "sides" in the conflict and make sure that all parties adhere to the agreements outlined below. (2) Hamas and Fatah renounce all use of violence against the State of Israel. (3) Certain Hamas prisoners released. All released prisoners must sign an agreement stating that they renounce all forms of violence against any state, organsisation, person or group of people. (4) Gilad Shalit to be released unharmed. (5) Negotiations over the management and operations of the Temple Mount, Jerusalem and the Holy Land are to proceed according to the overseeing body outlined in Point 1. (A plan and timetable is ready. This has been prepared for quite awhile. Sometimes you have to wait for the walls of Jericho to fall before proceeding.)
I honestly can't even begin to imagine what these years have been like for Gilad and his family. I pray that he is able to return home very soon.