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Meir Dagan
Photo: Motti Kimchi

Meir Dagan: Gilad Shalit not a hero

Ex-Mossad chief criticizes prisoner swap deal, says 'a state should not do everything' to release a captive; claims deal bolstered Hamas, weakened PA

Former Mossad Chief Meir Dagan addressed the Gilad Shalit prisoner swap deal on Wednesday in a conference in Tel Aviv. Known for his opposition to the deal, Dagan said: "I'm not sure I was thrilled with the fact that Netanyahu greeted him back. It seemed problematic to me, he's being portrayed as a hero, I would beware of such definitions."

 

The former Mossad chief added, "Gilad went through terrible suffering and should have been brought back home, but a hero? This event does not strike me as quintessential heroism."

 

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"I'm glad Shalit is back," he stressed. "We had no choice but to strike a deal, but not this one."

 

Dagan said he does not believe a country must do everything in its power to bring a captive back, rather whatever it can. "I oppose the deal which was implemented. I thought it wrong to release 140 terrorists to the territories. Many of them will resume their terrorist activity. We bolstered Hamas and weakened the PA."

 


דגן, הערב. "השלום הקר עם מצרים יימשך" (צילום: מוטי קמחי)

Meir Dagan. 'Peace with Egypt will endure' (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

 

Dagan also addressed recent reports of a possible strike in Iran, having once dubbed the notion "a silly idea," but refused to comment on the matter. "The prime minister and defense minister are those who made the Iranian problem a top story. They said everything was open and that they were seriously considering a military option, and since then everyone has been talking about it. If they want to indict me – go ahead."

 

The former Mossad man also commented on the revolution in Egypt estimating that the Muslim Brotherhood will not take over the country.

 

"It will hurt economy, tourism, Suez, everything that turns a profit," he said. "The US will cut funding. Gas and petrol are running out that is why it's easy for them to halt supply to Israel, they are trying to get more out of what's left."

 

Dagan also estimated that Cairo will not abolish the peace treaty with Israel and that Omar Suleiman will be Egypt's next ruler.

 

 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.02.11, 21:52
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