'Start direct talks with kidnappers'
Political sources quick to respond to audio message released by kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. MK Levy says Israel should not give in to kidnappers' demands; Meretz calls for prisoner swap
Minutes after the Gilad Shalit audio message was released Defense Minister Ehud Barak said, "Shalit's tape is Hamas' way of saying the organization is the one determining Shalit's fate, and not other sources."
In the message, posted on a Hamas website, Shalit sent greetings to his family and said his health was deteriorating and that he was in need of hospitalization.
He also expressed disappointment in the "lack of interest" of the Israeli government in his fate.
Minister Eli Yishai (Shas) called for direct talks with Shalit's kidnappers. "In the past, during fighting, we held direct and indirect negotiations with enemies to retrieve captives. So far it seems that indirect talks via Egyptian mediators did not help and did not lead to Shalit's release.
"Direct negotiations with the soldier's kidnappers should be considered. The tricky situation in the Palestinian Authority leaves us with no choice but to thoroughly examine the possibility of direct negotiations," Yishai said.
Following the release of the tape the Meretz faction published a statement calling for immediate renewal of negotiations to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Shalit.
The faction's announcement said, "It's a failure that Gilad has been in the hands of his kidnappers for a whole year and no prisoners have been released. An IDF soldier must know that he is going to defend the state and that the state will do everything in its power to defend him and bring him home."
MK Ran Cohen (Meretz) said, " We cannot let Shalit turn into the next Ron Arad, even if it's at the cost of releasing thousands of Palestinian prisoners."
MK Uri Ariel (National Union-National Religious Party) said in response to the tape, "Hamas doesn’t plan to release anyone, and just wants to receive recognition as a legitimate political body, all publications are meant for creating delusions."
MK Yitzhak Levy (National Union-National Religious) said, "The publication of this tape shows the pressure Hamas is under from the continued blockade of Gaza."
"We cannot give in to the kidnappers' demands and humanitarian aid to Gaza should be given under the condition that Gilad Shalit is released," Levy said.
Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik vowed Monday that Israel would not relent until captured soldier Gilad Shalit was released.
"I know that the security establishment, under instructions from the prime minister, is working endlessly to forward Shalit's release," Itzik said.
Attila Somfalvi contributed to this report
