Brave decision needed

Gilad Shalit has been held captive by Hamas for three years exactly - a living soldier whom no one can visit, or supply with letters or medicines, or whose condition can be judged. A living soldier being used as a brutal bargaining chip between Hamas and Israel, on whose narrow shoulders an Israeli campaign of "hearts, minds and ethics" is being carried out. Should we release more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for the abducted soldier? Should we demand that some of them be exiled to the Gaza Strip? Should we include the opening of the crossings into Gaza?

It's as if there had been no public debate during the past three years; as if with Benjamin Netanyahu's government assuming office, it's now necessary to reevaluate "the ethics of the deal."

Meanwhile, the new government has taken too long to appoint Hagai Hadas as the new Israeli mediator, as if salvation were in the hands of a mediator and not the person who instructs him. Noam Shalit, Gilad's father, made an uncharacteristic revelation when he said the previous prime minister would chastise the family during their meetings and "explain" that he couldn't talk about certain things he was doing. That prime minister's minimal results and his successor's foot-dragging make it very clear why Netanyahu does not want to discuss the efforts being made. He prefers assessments, analyses and responding to rumors, rather than speaking clearly, making the decisions of a leader and bringing Gilad Shalit home.

No less troubling is the thought that Israel's security depends on whether we release prisoners to the West Bank or Gaza Strip, or on the difference between releasing 1,000 or 900. Gilad Shalit cannot wait for the prime minister's popularity ratings; he can't wait for the adjustment period that Hadas needs to familiarize himself with the matter.

Hamas' terms are known; any improvements that Netanyahu might gain will not alter the substance of the terms, and certainly do not justify keeping Shalit imprisoned another day.

Meanwhile, one gets the painful impression that Netanyahu's obtuse statements on Shalit are not intended to hide effective action. They more seem like the smoke and mirrors used by magicians.