Israel and Hamas Agree to Swap Prisoners for Soldier
October 11, 2011
NYTimes EXCERPT:
By ETHAN BRONNER
JERUSALEM Israel and Hamas announced an agreement on Tuesday to exchange more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for an Israeli soldier held captive in Gaza for five years, a deal brokered by Egypt that seemed likely to shake up Middle East politics at a time when the region is immersed in turmoil.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel told his nation in a live address on television that the soldier, Staff Sgt. Gilad Shalit, who was captured in June 2006 at the age of 19, could be home within days, ending what has been widely seen in Israel as a national trauma.
In Damascus, Syria, Khaled Meshal, the political leader of Hamas, said in a televised address that the negotiations had been very, very difficult and called the deal a national accomplishment that augured well for the Palestinians, who he said hoped to cleanse the land, and liberate Jerusalem, and unite the Palestinian ranks.
It was unclear what drove the two to accept a deal that had been on the table for years. But both stand to benefit politically and had reasons to distract attention from the efforts of Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, as he circles the globe seeking votes for his bid to gain United Nations membership for a state of Palestine.
Egypt played a central role in the deal, helping bolster its international standing at a time of growing internal political strife as well as strains with Israel, which has seen its relationship with Egypt deteriorate since President Hosni Mubarak was toppled in February. Just last month, an Egyptian mob attacked Israels embassy and its diplomatic staff was evacuated.
END EXCERPT
While I don't like the fact that 1000 terrorists are being set free, I do like that 1 Israeli Soldier is worth 1000 Terrorist scumbags.
October 11, 2011
NYTimes EXCERPT:
By ETHAN BRONNER
JERUSALEM Israel and Hamas announced an agreement on Tuesday to exchange more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for an Israeli soldier held captive in Gaza for five years, a deal brokered by Egypt that seemed likely to shake up Middle East politics at a time when the region is immersed in turmoil.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel told his nation in a live address on television that the soldier, Staff Sgt. Gilad Shalit, who was captured in June 2006 at the age of 19, could be home within days, ending what has been widely seen in Israel as a national trauma.
In Damascus, Syria, Khaled Meshal, the political leader of Hamas, said in a televised address that the negotiations had been very, very difficult and called the deal a national accomplishment that augured well for the Palestinians, who he said hoped to cleanse the land, and liberate Jerusalem, and unite the Palestinian ranks.
It was unclear what drove the two to accept a deal that had been on the table for years. But both stand to benefit politically and had reasons to distract attention from the efforts of Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, as he circles the globe seeking votes for his bid to gain United Nations membership for a state of Palestine.
Egypt played a central role in the deal, helping bolster its international standing at a time of growing internal political strife as well as strains with Israel, which has seen its relationship with Egypt deteriorate since President Hosni Mubarak was toppled in February. Just last month, an Egyptian mob attacked Israels embassy and its diplomatic staff was evacuated.
END EXCERPT
While I don't like the fact that 1000 terrorists are being set free, I do like that 1 Israeli Soldier is worth 1000 Terrorist scumbags.
