Shalit family: Barghouti's comments Hamas propaganda
In response to comments made by prominent Palestinian prisoner, family of captive Israeli soldier says, 'A Hamas prisoner is allowed to show up in court and seek justice, while Gilad is not even able to see a ray of sunlight'
The family of captive soldier Gilad Shalit responded to comments by Palestinian prisoner Abdullah Barghouti on Sunday, who said a prisoner exchange deal was far from being executed.
"This is more Hamas propaganda and the only ones who are affected are the residents of Gaza who are not involved. Hamas and its leaders continue to behave cynically towards their people," a statement issued by the family said.
The family further lamented the fact that "a Hamas prisoner is allowed to show up in court and seek justice, and even speak with the media while Gilad is not even able to see a ray of sunlight, much less have contact with the outside world."
Barghouti, who was sentenced to 67 life terms for his involvement in a series of terror attacks, said during a Nazareth District Court hearing on the conditions of his imprisonment, "There is no way the (Shalit) deal will be executed soon, (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu does not want to execute the deal, he is busy with many other things."
Of the prisoner exchange deal he said, "I was the third name in the deal, Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat were before me. Hagai Hadas signed, the German mediator signed, and Hamas signed. When it reached Netanyahu, he zigzagged and caved. He is more concerned with other things. For example, he is far more concerned with Kadima."
Shalit was kidnapped into Gaza on June 25, 2006 during a cross-border road on an IDF base.
