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Libman
Photo: Avihu Shapira
Shalit
Photo: AP

Shalit activists not optimistic over reported progress

While Hamas says German mediation has advanced talks for Israeli soldier's release, head of Shalit campaign says, 'We've been at this point before'

German involvement in mediation over an Israeli-Palestinian prisoner swap has advanced the negotiations but a breakthrough is not imminent, Hamas said on Tuesday.

 

Egypt's president, Hosni Mubarak, told an American television interviewer last week that his country was working "in collaboration and cooperation with the Germans."

 

Hamas at first declined comment but on Tuesday a senior official, Ayman Taha, told Reuters: "There is nothing new except the German intervention, which caused things to move. But things have not yet reached a breakthrough."

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Thursday. In Berlin, a German official did not want to comment.

 

Shalit campaign head 'not optimistic'

Head of the Shalit campaign, Shimshon Libman told Ynet on Tuesday: "I understand that some serious process is taking place, but since we have been at this point more than once I don't delude myself into thinking that the kid will be released so quickly.

 

"I'm aware of the fact things are happening, and anything that promotes the release makes us very happy, but I can't say I'm more optimistic."

 

Libman commented on the campaign activists' rally Tuesday morning near prisons across Israel in which they called on the Israel Prison Service (IPS) to prevent security prisoners from receiving visits. "This evening is no different from any other evening, except for the fact that we have succeeded in conveying the message to the other side that our treatment of security prisoners is not something elementary and that we can prevent it.

 

"The fact that the Israel Prison Service has stopped most of the prisoners' families' visitations is a sign of our strength," he added.

 


פרסום ראשון: 08.25.09, 21:01
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