The father of captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit said Sunday he was opposed to the release of any additional Palestinian prisoners unless it is guaranteed that such a gesture would advance a deal for his son's release.
| Islamist Group |
|
| Egyptian officials: Israeli flexibility on prisoner swap will pressure Hamas / Ali Waked |
|
Hamas spokesman says list of prisoners it demands Israel release as part of deal for Shalit final, but Egyptian, Palestinian officials say should Israel agree to free more prisoners 'with blood on their hands' Hamas may consider shortening list |
| Full Story |
|
|
|
Shalit was captured during in a cross border raid on an IDF base bear Gaza on June 25, 2006.
Noam Shalit's comment came in response to reports that during the scheduled meeting between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and
Mahmoud Abbas in
Jerusalem later in the day, the Palestinian leader is expected to ask that Israel release more prisoners.
"Ever since my son fell captive more than two years ago, Israel has released thousands of Palestinians as a gesture (to Abbas)," Noam Shalit said. "These gestures haven't advanced a deal for Gilad even in the least, and also increased Hamas' 'appetite' and demands.
"We oppose the release of additional prisoners in any context that is not related to (Gilad's) release – we are in favor of releasing many Palestinian prisoners, but only after my son returns home," he said.
Prior to last week's release of 198 Palestinian prisoners, Noam Shalit warned that the "empty gestures" were not promoting his son's release.
"The previous gestures did not result in any progress," he said at the time, "I don't know what Hamas makes of it, but based on past experience, (the concessions) haven't changed a thing with regards to Gilad."
An Israeli ministerial committee is expected to convene on Sunday to discuss further prisoner releases, including hundreds which Islamist Hamas has demanded in exchange for Shalit.
RSS
