Shas chairman: Current government won't close Shalit deal
Olmert's cabinet to convene Tuesday afternoon to hear about failure of Shalit negotiations. Eli Yishai: Next government just as committed to bring home Gilad. Kadima's Ruhama Avraham still hopeful that Hamas will consent to terms
Deputy Prime Minister and Shas Chairman Eli Yishai said, "This government apparently will not successfully resolve the Shalit affair." On the same day his party is expected to sign a coalition agreement with Likud, one of the only ministers who will remain in the next government emphasized, "The next government is equally committed to bring Gilad home. This is its obligation, despite the expected difficulties."
Minister Ruhama Avraham Balila (Kadima) said she hoped that "despite everything the Shalit deal will go through in the coming days."
According to her, "I have hope in my heart that Hamas will recognize the opportunity that has been created and will not further toughen its stance such that a positive solution can be reached."
Housing Minister Ze'ev Boim (Kadima) sought to cancel Tuesday's cabinet meeting, claiming that revealing the list of detainees Hamas is demanding be released in exchange for Shalit will damage the potential of the Israeli soldier's future return home.
According to him, "Revealing the list establishes an impossible starting point for the continuation of negotiations."
Delegates on Olmert's negotiation team in Cairo, Shin Bet Chief Yuval Diskin and Ofer Dekel, will participate in the cabinet meeting. Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, who cut short his trip to Washington on the backdrop of developments in the Shalit negotiations, is also expected to say a few words.
Outside the meeting in Jerusalem, the Shalit family will demonstrate silently, hoping that the masses of supporters standing by their side will urge the cabinet ministers to advance the deal in any case.
