Schlaglicht Israel Nr. 19/11 Aktuelles aus israelischen Tageszeitungen 11. – 29. Oktober 2011 1. Der Gefangenaustausch Nach mehr als fünf Jahren Gefangenschaft in Gaza wurde der israelische Soldat Gilad Shalit am 18. Oktober im Rahmen eines Gefangenaustauschs freigelassen. Shalit war 2006 von palästinensischen Extremisten, welche der Hamas zugehörten, ent­führt worden. Seitdem hat es immer wieder Ver­handlungen zwischen Israel und den Entführern gegeben, zum Teil unter deutscher Vermittlung. Schließlich einigten sich die Seiten auf ein Abkom­men, dem zufolge 1027 palästinensische Häftlinge in mehreren Phasen aus israelischen Gefängnissen freigelassen werden. Die ersten 477 Gefangenen kamen am selben Tag wie Shalit frei. In Israel wurde das Abkommen kritisiert, weil unter den Freigelassenen auch Palästinenser sind, die direkt für Terrorakte verantwortlich sind. Eine Grup­pe von Opferangehörigen versuchte deshalb, den Austausch noch kurz vor seiner Ausführung durch den Obersten Gerichtshof unterbinden zu lassen. In der Öffentlichkeit genoss der Gefangenenaus­tausch dennoch große Zustimmung, die sicherlich auch im Zusammenhang mit der unermüdlichen Kampagne der Eltern Gilad Schalits steht, die dafür sorgten, dass ihr Sohn während der Jahre seiner Gefangenschaft in den Medien stets präsent blieb. Anatomy of a deal "Hamas in Gaza had an interest for a while now in securing a deal given the pressure and frustration of prisoner families.[…] In the meanwhile conditions changed: Iran recently curbed its financial support to Hamas and the group needs Arab and international donations[…]. Moreover, Hamas monitored with concern the boost in Abbas’ status and n eeded a propaganda achievement that would overshadow the Palestinian president’s accomplishments.[…] Another factor was the situation on the Syrian front. Bashar Assad’s regime endorsed the deal in order to improve its global status.[…] Hamas also had an interest in showing flexibility. The ground in Syria is shifting beneath the group’s political leadership’s feet in Damascus and it seeks a new base. This leadership now needs an entry ticket into moderate Arab states, headed by Egypt, Jordan and Qatar." Ron Ben-Yishai, JED 12.10.11 Egyptian revolution led to Shalit deal "It turns out that it was Mubarak's regime that had been the obstacle to a breakthrough. A short time after the government was replaced, Hamas leaders initiated a return to negotiations.[…] The Egyptians [under Mubarak] acted according to their own secu­rity interests, because they viewed the Gaza Strip as a ticking bomb in their backyard. Apparently, this was in line with Israeli interests, but this is not what is expected of an honest br oker.[…] Mubarak's exit turned over a new leaf in Egypt-Hamas relations, and created an atmosphere more conducive to a deal.[…] Murderers whose hands are stained with the blood of innocent Israelis are being released in this deal, but most of them were' foot soldiers'. The people who engineered the intifada are staying where they belong- behind bars." Jacky Hougy, GLO 17.10.11 There is no other choice "We – the government and the people of Israel – had no choice.[…] People will be murdered in terror attacks – but what other choice do we have? Allow­ing Gilad Shalit to die in prison? Neither Marwan Barghouti nor all the other scum­bags currently preparing to depart Israeli jail[…] are worth the terrible mourning that would have befallen us had Gilad Sh alit not returned from captivity.[…] We shall settle the score with the murderers who will be released one way or another. We shall pursue them after they are freed. Every move they make shall be recorded, and I’m certain that at least some of them won’t depart this world in the usual way." Haim Misgav, JED 10.12.11 1