New York – Malcolm Hoenlein on the Gilad Shalit Release

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    New York – A deal has been announced In Israel and confirmed with Hamas that a swap has been made to free Gilad Shalit in exchange for 1000 prisoners. Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the The Five Towns Jewish Times interviewed Malcom Hoenlein, head of the Conference of Jewish Presidents for his insights about the deal.

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    Mr. Hoenlein has been involved in many such behind the scenes negotiations himself.

    YH: Mr. Hoenlein, in your opinion, will the Shalit release deal that was just announced come through – can we trust Hamas that they won’t change their minds?
    MH: Obviously, we hope that he will be released. It is part of their terror methodology, part of their tactic is to inflict pain and say that they will negotiate, and they do not. In the past, they have reneged and keep raising the price. Obviously this time there is more to it. We have to wait and see – there are a lot of details that still need to emerge. We don’t know yet that they will live up to any commitment.

    YH: The price tag of releasing terrorists is steep. What are your thoughts on this?
    MH: It is obviously very sensitive when you are releasing terrorists. They have blood on their hands.

    YH: The Israelis mentioned that the deal had to be done now because there was a small window of time left. Can you elaborate on this?
    MH: Mubarak was an intermediary who tried to assist and he is not on the scene anymore. Egypt, along with the Germans was a major player in these negotiations and elections are to be held soon. If we see that the Muslim Brotherhood gets a large percentage of the vote – it will make it harder and harder to reach a deal. That was the concern – that and along with the pressures of various elements of Hamas not allowing a deal to go through.

    YH: Is there a dangerous precedent here? Will there be more Gilad Shalits?
    MH: Yes, but that precedent was set long ago even for dead bodies.. they know that Israel will strike a deal and they exploit the fact that Israel is committed to every soldier and every family – even if G-d forbid there is a situation where one would be killed.. They have said publicly that they will kidnap more – but it was a precedent made long ago.

    YH: So it doesn’t make it worse?
    MH: Not necessarily, but it is hard to know. It is not just the numbers it is the quality of the prisoners we are releasing – or rather the lack of quality of those we are releasing. How much blood on their hands, etc.

    YH: Thank you


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    7 Comments
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    FmrBklynKid
    FmrBklynKid
    12 years ago

    With these animals, its never a done deal until he’s actually home. Who knows what the next few days will bring? But let’s all daven a little harder now!

    Rabbi Yair Hoffman
    Admin
    12 years ago

    Malcolm is one of the most intelligent askanim we have. I welcome his perspectives on virtually everything.

    Barsechel
    Barsechel
    12 years ago

    Its time to assasinate the top leaders of Hamas that is the only option to deal with them Israel will regret this deal and btw what about the feelings of the families whose loved ones were ruthlessly murdered by these animals?
    Malcolm dont be a politician say the truth

    DRSLZ
    DRSLZ
    12 years ago

    Hundreds will pay with their lives for this deal.

    RebBaltimore
    RebBaltimore
    12 years ago

    This deal sends a terrible message: It shows our friends & foes that horrible crimes pay-kidnapping, acts of terror, murder are rewarded with the freedom to do them again!