Hamas will give back Gilad Shalit only when they get back their convicted murderers, presumably to murder again.
“If Israel insists on the name of one or more of the prisoners the kidnappers want to see released, the entire deal could collapse, as has happened in the past,” he said.
According to the source, before the parties reach a final agreement it can be determined “beyond any doubt that prisoners defined by Israel as prisoners with blood on their hands will be released, as well as Israeli Arab prisoners.”
He added that he was aware of the fact that these two groups of prisoners were considered a red line by Israel.
“It is no longer a matter for the kidnapping groups or the Egyptian mediators. This is Olmert’s problem and he must find the way to convey this to the Israeli public opinion. This is the last thing bothering us,” the source said.
Without the release of the senior Palestinians prisoners jailed in Israel for dozens of life sentences for the murder of Israelis, and the inclusion of Israeli Arab prisoners, there would be no deal, the source explained.
“The organizations’ goal this time is to break the criteria dictated by the Israelis in previous deals. We want to create a precedence,” he said.
The really sad thing? Count on it happening. Olmert will cave. Watch him.
Olmert will cave. I’ve actually written several parties here, asking them, as a voter to a rep, to propose a no-confidence measure in the Knesset.
No answer yet.
Personally, I don’t think that any “exchange” should ever be more than one-for-one, even if a terrorist is barely worth 1/1000th of Gilad Shalit.
I would suggest that the exchange be dead terrorists wrapped in pigskin.
Its situations like this that make me a strong proponent of the death penalty, along with a speedy trial.
If murderers are convicted and executed, then they are no longer bargaining chips our enemies can use for extortion.
I say agree to their demands. As they are about to be released, give them all medical exams, “To make sure they are all healthy and well”. Part of said exam is a “vitamin” shot. A major part of said vitamin shot ought to be Polonium 210.
The NY Sun reports today that Olmert is willing to give away part of Jerusalem – perhaps even to return to 1948 cease-fire lines (aka pre- June 1967 borders).
That Olmert would free prisoners for Shalit – who no one but the terrorists have seen since his kidnapping – is no surprise.
I was amazed that the IDF did not stage a coup until I saw how feckless the IDF command was in Lebanon.
chsw
The resolution may be to start kidnapping Palestinians until enough are incarcerated to equal the value of one Israeli soldier.