Channels

Noam and Aviva Shalit
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Photo: Ata Awisat
Dr. Aryeh Bachrach
Photo: Ata Awisat

Shalit deal: Gearing for the final stretch?

As seven-minister cabinet holds marathonic meetings on deal meant to secure release of captive soldier, both those pushing for prisoner exchange and those vehemently opposing it know moment of truth is near

Members of the Shalit campaign are gearing for what may be the last act in a long battle.

 

In wake of three special seven-minister cabinet meetings which ended with no result on Sunday night, and ahead of another meeting set for Monday morning, both those fighting for the Hamas-held soldier's release and those who oppose a deal which will set arch-murderers free, know that this is the final stretch.

 

Earlier Sunday, Noam and Aviva Shalit, Gilad's parents, relayed a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Our heart tells us," they wrote, "that that this chapter of the negotiations is reaching a point of no return."

 

The Shalits then joined members of the campaign who rallied outside the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem.

 

Members of the reservists' campaign also relayed a letter to the Netanyahu, in which they urge decisive action: "In these crucial moments we expect you to show leadership and maneuver the negotiations for Shalit's release with perseverance and determination.

 

"We remind you that his fate will mirror Israeli society's ethical resilience." Attached to the letter was the campaign's petition, signed by 4,700 reservists.

 

Meanwhile, the Almagor Terror Victims' Association and other groups opposing the deal, have stepped up their efforts to stop any prisoner exchange.

 

Dr. Aryeh Bachrach, head of the Bereaved Parents' Forum, called on those opposing the deal to pressure Netanyahu and the cabinet ministers using any means possible, suggesting they "bombard" the respective offices with phone calls, faxes and emails.

 

"This is a counter-initiative to the pressure the prime minister in under to make what we feel is the wring decision. We're all for Gilad's release, but not at the expanse of releasing arch-murderers," he told Ynet.

 

Ahiya Raved contributed to this report

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.21.09, 00:49
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment