Monday, December 4, 2006

Minister: Israel should consider freeing Bargouti in Shalit deal

"Environment Minister Gideon Ezra told Israel Radio on Monday that Israel should consider freeing jailed Palestinian militant leader Marwan Bargouti in a prisoner exchange for captured Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit.

Asked whether the 47-year-old Barghouti should be freed as has been demanded by the Palestinian leadership, Ezra, a former security chief, said: "The question is how big the (swap) deal would be, and what the other side would promise."

"If the Palestinian Authority prevents arms smuggling in the Philadelphi Route [from Egypt to Gaza], then I am in favor," said Ezra. "If the Palestinian Authority promises to crush terrorism, as it undertook to do, then I am in favor.""

No comments: