Shalit family warns Hamas after group declares swap talks failed

Tomy, first you describe it as an outrageous claim that there are uncharged Arabs in Israeli jails; and then you admit it, but claim that you know they are all guilty. Sorry, but your declaration of guilt without evidence is not enough in a civilized country to put people in jail. But get back to the point: so long as Israel keeps hundreds of Palestinians uncharged, how can she expect that the rest of the world will brim over with exclusive sympathy for one Israeli soldier?

Hamas will never release Shalit due to he is the only bargain chip they can have to try to extort Israel. I wonder were are those british people who cry for peace and justice. BS. Hamas does not give a dam about the prisoners in Israel, they just want to make noise.

Pierre, absolutely, the answer is to tighten the screws until the enemy capitulates and enters the 21st century. In that part of the world, you get no points or credit for weakness and appeasement. Israel tried that route when she ignored 8,000 rockets against innocent civilians with no response. Your "facts" are too skewed, however, one thing is certain. Occupation is not the problem here since there was no peace prior to the occupation. If the Pals continue to declare war against Israel, they will just lose more and more land. All your false charges of ethnic cleansing are all one pile of hogwash. Here's the problem in a nutshell. The Arabs have never come to terms with a non-Islamic presence in the Middle East, Christians included. Until they do so, they get squat. Israel and all other democracies are acutely aware of the Arab double-speak. There will be NO PEACE while Arab intransigence reigns. This is not a territorial conflict, but a religious one.

No, there was not peace before '67. Nor before '47, '36 or '29. Was reasonably peaceful prior to 1917, though. Ever wondered why, Bobby? Might have smthng to do with the sudden influx of Europeans bent on creating their own state where others already lived, perhaps? There is a straight line between the fate of Gilad Shalit, the daily humiliation of the Palestians in the WB and Gaza, the six day war, the ethnic cleansings of '47 and onwards - in short, the colonial enterprise that is the root cause of the miserable state of affairs in the ME. Now, what is your proposal to peace, human dignity - and the release of Gilad Shalit, Bobby? To treat the "enemy" MUCH, MUCH more severely?

The Iranian-backed Hamas regime in Gaza is totally dependent on Israel for fuel as well as water, electricity, food and medicine. The government should listen to the activists and stop all "humanitarian" aid to Gaza until Shalit is home in Israel. After three years it is time to start making Hamas pay a real price.

Not a single innocent Arab is in Israeli jail . There are much more innocents are jailed in Guantanamo then in Israel . All those numbers from B'tzelem and other blind protectors of Arab terrorists might be true , but that does not mean that those are innocent . Often informers , or other undisclosed evidences must be protected . But trust me , it is not in Israels interest to keep a single of those who are clean . As for Hamas legislators , those got to that level only for spilling blood on the first place , non are clean . In any normal country those would droned a long time ego . It is only Israel who plays tootsy with them .

Walter, there are NO Palestinian soldiers. Palestine doesn't exist, by everybody's standards. Once there is a successful conclusion to a deal, sure. But to answer your question, how about 1-1. Fair ?? If you don't think so, please explain. By the way, this is not a trade for Kobe Bryant. Even Kobe is not worth more than 5-1.

How many Palestinian soldiers are you willing to release in exchange for Gilad?

Pierre, are you watching the same thing as the rest of the world ?? If so, your ignorance is alarming and scary. You make it seem that there was love and peace before the Pals had their land "stolen" before 1967. What have you been watching ? The Arabs intent to annihilate Israel was reality long before 1967. Please do nor be a history revisionist. The only thing "worn out" is your blindness to reality. Israel allows many convoys daily to enter Gaza. Your portrayal is a lie. Israel is not their oppressors, Hamas is. The treatment of an enemy should be MUCH, MUCH more severe. Why doesn't Egypt fend for the citizens of Gaza ? Please, spare us the tears of the manipulators. You have bought into the deceitful Hamas lies. A terrorist is a terrorist, no matter what fig leaf you use to cover up their actions. SHAME.

It seems to me that neither Netanyahu nor Hamas want a deal at this point.

It truly is a shame that talks broke down. Shalit and the Palestinian prisoners deserve better. But, the contention that the Siege will be lifted if a deal is made is just based on a false premise. The siege predates Gilad Shalit's capture; he was enforcing it when captured. Israel has no plans to lift it, ever. Something else is also going on. Suddenly the US is portrayed by the Israeli foreign ministry as just peachy, not the demons they normally portray us as. And suddenly Turkey isn't as evil as it was just a week ago. What's going on?

All you bleeding hearts that complain about this one soldier, do you ever shed one tear for the 300 Palestinian minors currently in Israeli custody? The Palestinians have had their land stolen and been under occupation since long before Gilad Shalit was born. They have every right to fight their occupiers. Gilad Shalit is a soldier in the armed forces that maintain the inhumane and medieval siege on the people of Gaza. The usual Israeli tactic of blaming the oppressed for their misery is pathetic. ("Their lives would be good if they?d done as we've told them "). Calling those who fight their oppressors terrorists is another worn out technique. Most people know who the terrorists are.

Hamas' obstinance is likely due to their intent on causing another war. In operation Cast Lead they prevented free movement of Israeli troops by threatening to kill Shalit if the IDF got too close. They now don't want to deal away this card knowing that all the terrorists in Israeli prisons are well cared for and can sit for awhile longer without harm.

But dear Zev, the IDF have already tried that, remember "Cast Lead" last year, bombings lasting over a month caused widespread destructions and over a thousand victims... Do you still want more, for no result at all?

Eisenhower canceld the elections in Vietnam because he thought Ho Chi Mhen would win and the country would go communist. But for 4 years there was peace as they[ the north ] were told play along and then we'll have elections. they did but the elections were canceled. Despite a CIA evaluation that Ho Chi Mhen was a powerful figure and any government excluding him was destined to fail.[Remember Ho Chi Mehn was at Versailles june 1919 pleading for the independence of his country and was ignored ]Thats exactly what the US did. Could the US and Israel have brought Hamas to the political side and give up terror maybee not. But they never acceped the free and fair election . In vietnamm it was a disaster in the occupied territories the book is still being written

Talking about stubborness, the "Shalit family" had better shut up than speaking up with total support for occupation, siege and war crimes for which the Israeli govt is entirely responsable, and will be accountable in the future. The soldier Shalit is held prisoner -prisoner of War - it seems under fairly good conditions. He has not been a victim yet of any unlegal assassination as so many Palestinian miltants and their families... Such a sad war.

I cant believe everyone in Israel can be as unreasonable as these people, is this one random soldier really more important than every other life that has been a victim of the oppresion in that region!?!

one would think that hamas is putting siege on gaza... not israel! note how all accusations done by israel against anyone and in any occasion, exactly describe israelis action.

Where is U.S. Pres. O'Bama in this stalemate? He who has been soooo quick to stick his nose in the sovereign affairs of Honduras (exiled president) and China (political prisoners), and;of course those seized in the streets of Tehran, Iran? How does the O'Bama White House pick & choose it's Humanitarian Issue du jour?

Everyone talks about "talks," or "negoiations" but all it is, is a lesson in fuitility. Hammas is playing the family of this poor guy and is also playing Israel and the entire world like a violin. Its a joke, there is no intentions of letting this guy go in one piece. Kiddnapping should comence by Israel until they have so many Fakestianans in custody there's no one left to "talk" to in Fakestain.

It is totally insane to think that Hamas can expect to exchange 1 Israeli for 500~1000 Paledtinians but this is what they are doing. If Hamas could kidnap more IDF soldiers I guess the quantities would be less but since Hamas kidnapped Gilad Shalit they have not been able to kidnap more and so they are holding out for this single IDF soldier. As much as the regular Israeli bashers are with Hamas , I wonder why these same bashers never ask Hamas to allow the red cross/crescent to visit Shalit.

Gilad Shalit has been kept prisoner for 3 years, and the blockade of Gaza has been going on for 4 years, so I don't understand what the relation between the two is that the family is referring to.

The Israeli government itself declares that it holds Arabs without charges, Tomy. For example: according to Israeli government figures supplied to B'tselem, there were 278 Palestinians in administrative detention in Dec. 2009 in Israeli prisons, and an unknown additional number held by the IDF. Usually three-quarters of them (30 Nov 2009: 222 out of 291) have been held for more than 6 months, and half for more than a year. Note, by the way, that this is a quite different category from "detained until end of legal process" (what is called "on remand" or "in custody" in other legal systems). Judging by what has happened till now, most of these detainees will never see a legal process. And some of them - the Hamas members of Parliament for example - are obviously being held as hostages for Shalit. When Israel releases them, the rest of the world might find some sympathy for Shalit.

thought of offering a reward for Gilad?? We MUST get our soldier out of there.

If your opinion is genuine , then you have to give up your house in Tel Aviv and turn it over to Arabs . Otherwise you are a hypocrite .

The siege of the Gaza Strip started after Hamas had the temerity to win in free parliamentary elections in January 2006. Remember the prescription given by Dov Weisglas in February 2006, namely that Israel was going to put the Palestinians on a "diet". The Gazans were already under Israeli siege when Shalit was captured (in June 2006). Israeli politicians and army people have already said that the siege will not be lifted, even after Shalit is freed. Israel's political objective is to destroy Hamas as an independent Palestinian national resistance movement and Israel's leaders are prepared to use the civilians Palestinian population as a prime target, as has been confirmed in the past by Zeev Schiff, Israel's authoratitive military correspondent. This is true from Deir Yasin to Qibya to Kafr Qasem to Sabra & Shatila to Gaza. The rationale behind this "shock and awe" is for resistance movements like Hamas and Hezbollah, that are rooted in the civilian population, to stop resisting.

Why do you claim that Arabs are held without charges ? Don't you think there are plenty of compelling reasons to keep them from harming people , including their own people ? Do you have any prove to support your outrages claim ?

This has been the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict: the inability of the Arab leadership to see beyond its own search for power toward the interests of its people. If the Palestinian leadership were truly concerned for the welfare of the Palestinians, a compromise solution with Israel would have been reached decades ago. Pelastinians living alongside the most developed country in the Mid-East would have a standard of living envied by all other Arabs. Instead, the Palestinians have been used by their leaders and have wallowed in misery needlessly.

Hamas , as any other Arab leaders , never had any consideration for their own people as long as they could still , corrupt and stay in power . It is just the nature of that human-less brutal beast .

hamas is a terror group holding it's own people hostage. its time some of these so called "activists" wake up and smell the coffee. Maybe ask your "brothers" to free their own people from tyranny...we hate al qaida but we love hamas? same thing people...same thing.

sadly, Shalit will not be released untill Hamas can wring every bit of propaganda out of his capture and detention! his release will not come soon. Israel must up the stakes so that its offer cannot be refused!

You are not being honest. No party won the majority of votes in the last election. Kadima topped the Likud by one mandate. The government is established by a coalition and the party winning the most mandates is given the chance to form that coalition. Livni was uncapable of forming a coalition with other parties in the Knesset. The oppurtunity was given to Bibi Netanyahu after Livnis second failed attempt. Taking into account that the right leaning parties gained more mandates in the elections, and the Likud with the most mandates amongst the right wing parties, it is only logical they will be the governing force.

This time israel has to pay high price!

The election in Palestine was closely monitored by OECD. Jimmy Carter was on location to see that the vote is made in order. Just the result displeased the US and Israel but was absolutely the free expression of the Palestinian people in a transparent election. Hamas won the majority and was instantly boycotted from the world. Hence how should the Palestinians trust democracy when the result is not respected by the western world. Stop blaming others for failing to press Israel into a peace agreement and to open the strip. For me as a european citizen this failure of our political leadership is inacceptabel and shameful as it should be for you too as an Italian citizen. How can we leave the Gazan's all alone in this misery created by Israel's siege culminating in such a brutal attack such as the war on the Gazan's. Prisoner of war exchange depend on leaders that have the guts. Netanyahu is not of this sort and Olmert was not either. Sharon would have done it.

Woody, every sane person knows the situation in Gaza is ONLY the fault of Hamas. Years of rockets at innocent civilians got them to this point. Many think this is even lenient, water and utilities should be shut as well. Woody, are you comparing Hamas thugs and murderers to Israel ?? FYI, the Shalit's son was not arrested (only a dope would think that), he was KIDNAPPED. FYI #2, Yes Woody, it is ALL the fault of Hamas. Please educate before posting.

You are right about Netanyahu,but wrong about Hamas.They were on paper voted in by a majority,but the vote was rigged and the left put out the news of a Hamas victory. There is no such thing as a democratic vote in any arab country or territory.

i was ready to give my opinion but zoe from london said it for me.

Are the Shalit's morons? Why are they accusing Hamas of being at fault for the humanitarian situation in Gaza? Frankly, I thought they understood what country they lived in, what it did to Palestinians, and why their son was arrested. Now I realize they are as clueless as the government...do they think they can guilt Hamas to release their son by accusing them of the propagandic accusations the government feeds its citizens? (i.e. everything is Hamas' fault, not ours) Madness...

Enough is enough .....once and for all play Hamas's game kidnap Mahmoud Zahar and maybe a few others cronies. Make the swop and bring Shalit home.

I believe you are confused. "Bibi" was not elected by the majority of Isaraelis Livini was, but Bibi could get in because the coalition that he made with other Parties. By contrast Hamas was electe with majority of vote to govern and was esauthoreted by US and Israel that blocked Gaza and imprisoned all Hamas lawmakers.

The difference between Hamas and prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is that Hamas elected itself, while prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was elected by the people. Hamas is nothing more than untruthful criminals.

If Hamas does not agree to the deal, Israel should go back to one for one and go into Gaza and stay till they get Shalit back.

Well, Eitan of Qatzrin: Yes, Hamas's behaviour is disgusting. But so is Israel's, in holding thousands of Palestinian prisoners without charge or trial. If you want support from the rest of the world, trying playing by their rules. That could mean majoy steps, like Israel obeying international law, and freeing her Palestinian hostages. Or it could mean minor ones, like your description of Qatzrin as being in Israel. Under international law, it's in Syria, sorry. You call for the rest of the world to support you, as you thumb your nose at its rules.

now!!! Gilad Shalit was abducted illegally while on Israeli sovereign soil by armed forces with representation in both the UN and the Arab League. These two organizations of course should have demanded that he be released immediately upon having been abducted, but they didn't. Nor has the International Committee of the Red Cross demanded to visit with Gilad Shalit, although it politely asked to do so. To this day no Red Cross personnel visited Gilad Shalit. Yet, the international community is silent. Now is the time to say: We don't accept this mode of behavior by the thugs of Hamas and like minded people. We, member states of the United Nations and member states of the UN Human Rights Council; member states of the Arab League; and of course member states of the International Committee of the Red Cross, demand that Gilad Shalit is let go free, to his country and family.

hamas only wants a fair deal, i mean how can anyone expect it to be flexible when hundreds upon hundreds of prisoners are involved? it's only reasonable that if hamas can't get every last ONE they want, in jail they ALL can stay.