No need for secrecy
Israel can pressure Hamas by publishing all details of Gilad Shalit negotiations
The ideas and proposals of the Egyptian government, former US President Jimmy Carter, the European Union, and Hamas
itself have been prominently featured in the media. But what does Israel
offer?
Hizbullah
sent Israel a “secret” report
about Ron Arad,
and I wonder: Why secret? After all, the details of the report are known to our Hizbullah enemies, so what prevents us from publishing its contents? Only the shame of the government that agreed to accept it.
This is not a question of curiosity or freedom of information, but rather, of negotiation strategy. The official Israel trapped and handcuffed itself by the false perception of holding secret talks kept away from the public until it is all over. Sometimes they remain secret even after it’s all over.
Price of Deal
Roee Nahmias
Arab newspapers say Jewish state won't free Popular Front secretary-general involved in murder of former Minister Rehavam Ze'evi, as part of deal securing kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit's release, but agrees to release Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti
Even if we assume that talks with Hizbullah required some sort of secrecy, this is not the case with Gilad Shalit. The State of Israel must play this game of minds vis-à-vis Hamas with completely open cards, thus taking advantage of being an open democracy. This is the only way to take the initiative and force Hamas to respond.
Israel must make it clear to all parties involved in the negotiations on Gilad Shalit’s release that any substantive proposal for a “deal” will be published and presented to Israeli, Palestinian, and global public opinion. Nothing will be done in the dark, far from the media’s eyes. Those who engage in the talks on the Israeli side will convene an international press conference at the end of every round and present the details of the talks and proposals.
The transparency of the negotiations on Shalit will serve Israel and grant it a position of power. Because in this case, transparency is power. We have nothing to hide here, but Hamas does.
If and when the government decides to shift from secret talks to open talks, it would be able to change their substance and initiate moves. Here is just one example of something that can be done: Publish a detailed list of the 2,000 prisoners Israel is willing to release in exchange for Shalit. Publish their names and photos. Thus, instead of Hamas using Israeli public opinion to press the Israeli government, the State of Israel will directly address Palestinian and Arab public opinion, so that they press Hamas.
Creative Israel has gone silent
Hamas is sensitive to pressure. We already saw it in Gaza, after Hamas leaders asked for a ceasefire because of the pressure exerted by local residents.
On the other hand, there is no reason not to publish and publically present the list of prisoners demanded by Hamas, while detailing all their crimes. This list is to a significant extent Hamas’ secret weapon, and just like the case with Hizbullah’s report on Ron Arad, the question is: Who are we keeping this secret from? After all, Hamas knows which prisoners it wants. Israeli public opinion is the one that doesn’t know. So, let them know. Shock them. Let them decide.
The talks on Shalit’s release are not a matter of a spy swap like in the days of the Cold War. It is also not a matter of exposing national secrets. We are dealing with a basic humanitarian act and the negotiations should not - both morally and strategically – be held under a veil of secrecy. More than two years have passed since Gilad Shalit’s abduction, and the secret talks on his release did not advance even an inch.
The creative, original Israel that takes the initiative has gone silent, and is only able to respond (hesitatingly) to the moves, proposals, and provocations of the other side. Once in a while, a government minister tells the media that the State is doing “everything” in order to release Shalit. Well, please tell us what exactly is being done.
The secret negotiations held in the dark have failed. From now on, only daylight will bring Shalit home.
