Nov. 17, 2008
In the apparent absence of government action, someone is doing something: A forum called Smart Middle East has an Arabic video being circulated on You Tube via email to the families of those Palestinian prisoners appealing to them to pressure Hamas to release Gilad Shalit.
"Hamas is using the issue of Shalit to safeguard its rule in Gaza. We know that behind closed doors you weep as any father or mother would. Hamas is to blame for the delay. Call Hamas and let your voice be heard," the video urges.
"We believe you must put pressure on the family members of Hamas prisoners," said Eli Avidar, head of the Smart Middle East forum and Israel's former consul to Qatar, on the group’s website (video in Hebrew).
More from Avidar on Ynet:
"The deal is being held up, but not because of the price or the number of prisoners. Hamas, as opposed to Hizbullah, has no interest in this deal because they see Shalit as their insurance card. But this appeal can help because Hamas is sensitive to its public. They swept the elections because they understand the public, and this initiative appeals to the public," said Avidar.Let’s pray that some in Gaza will have ears to hear that voice.
“(The forum) believes that our leadership over the past 30 years doesn't understand how to operate in the Middle East. You can't talk to Hamas about a 'price' in terms of 200 or 400 prisoners, because the price will immediately go up," he said. "The government's initiatives are useless. The government is offering money for information (about Shalit), but we are appealing to the families' emotions. The appeal isn't inflammatory, it speaks with a clear voice."
Shalit was kidnapped on June 25, 2006. Does anyone read Vince Flynn novels? Is it too much to believe that an agency like Israel’s Mossad couldn’t have already gotten Shalit out? He’s only 22. He’s been in hostile captivity more than 800 days. Think about that.
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