Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,
backed by five of his six senior ministers, has decided to give his emissary Hagai Hadas more room to negotiate a German-mediated prisoner exchange deal with Hamas,
Ynet has learned.
Three of the ministers say the prime minister has yet to decide whether he is willing to pay the price demanded by Hamas for the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. "Netanyahu's indecision may lead once again to what happened at the end of (former Prime Minister Ehud) Olmert's
tenure, when the deal reached a deadlock following a decision made in one second," said one of the ministers.
| Palestinian Side |
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| Hamas prisoners ready to wait for deal / Ali Waked |
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Movement members jailed in Israel convey message to their leaders they are willing to stay in prison for many more months as long as Hamas does not capitulate to Israel's demands |
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The prime minister is torn between the Shalit family's demand that he pay the price, and his fear that the heavy price will strategically hurt Israel and advance the next abduction.
Netanyahu's fears, according to senior ministers, are based on two levels: The credit Hamas will get for completing the deal and releasing 1,000 terrorists, including some responsible for deadly attacks; and the return of the released prisoners to terrorist activity. According to one of the ministers, Netanyahu is also torn on a personal level, regarding the way he will be remembered in history.
According to another minister, Netanyahu appeared to be hesitant during the intensive discussions held last month, as if her were reluctant to make a decision. The prime minister's indecision prompted Barak to pressure him with the help of generals.
Minister Yossi Peled and Knesset Member Israel Hasson (Kadima),
a former deputy Shin Bet chief, were recruited by the defense minister on December 21 to convince Netanyahu to support the deal.
"After three years of negotiations with Hamas, Israel must pay the price and release the soldier," one of the deal's supporters told the prime minister. "We must then set conditions for any future abductions, so that what happened with the Shalit affair will not happen again."
The discussion ended at 1:30 am, but Netanyahu remained unconvinced, as he did following two discussions at the prime minister's residents with his personal advisors, Hadas and heads of the secret security services.
"There is no doubt Netanyahu has doubts," said one of the senior ministers. "He has yet to make a strategic decision whether to release Shalit for the terrible price demanded by Hamas."
Another minister, who took part in the discussions, reiterated that "Netanyahu has yet to decide, as have some of us."
A third minister added, "It's a very tough decision, and I won't be surprised if the prime minister makes the decision, in a typical manner, at the very last moment."
A minister close to Netanyahu said, "I understand the heavy responsibility on the prime minister's shoulders, and therefore it's clear to me that he is still undecided and will not pay any price."
In any event, the prime minister and his six senior ministers are waiting for the professional team led by Hagai Hadas to complete its work with the German mediator. Officials in Jerusalem and Hamas source both say the negotiations are going on, despite the disagreements.
"We have not reached a deadlock," a state official clarified. The Prime Minister's Office refused to comment on the discussions held by the senior ministers' forum.
Gilad Shalit was kidnapped
into the Gaza Strip 1,292 days ago
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