What Will a Prisoner Exchange with the Palestinians Look Like?

[Ha'aretz] Danny Rubinstein - Last Tuesday Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit announced details regarding the deal that is developing with respect to releasing kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. Palestinian sources have published details concerning the identities of the prisoners to be released. Apart from women and youths, the group is primarily comprised of about 360 prisoners incarcerated in Israel since before the Oslo Accords. Most are defined as having "blood on their hands." They are all considered heroes by the Palestinian public and their release will be accompanied by large-scale celebrations. And who will receive credit for such a grand victory? Hamas leader Khaled Meshal. The Israeli government, obviously, does not want this to happen. Also the U.S. and other nations, including Arab nations, cannot afford such an impressive victory for the Islamic zealots of Hamas.


2006-11-06 01:00:00

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