On Sunday,the cabinet will hear the pros and cons for agreeing to a prisoner swap with Hizbullah, information that will pave the way for a vote in support of a deal that will bring about the release of Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser and their return home. The price Israel will have to pay is still unclear, aside from setting free murderer Samir Kuntar, Israel will also release a number of Lebanese prisoners in the deal. Hizbullah continues to demand that a certain number of Palestinian prisoners also be set free in the framework of the agreement, a demand Israel has up until now refused to agree to.
Perhaps one of the most difficult decisions cabinet ministers will be forced to make, is the return of Goldwasser and Regev, dead or alive, in exchange for setting free a murderer and Israel’s last bargaining chip for receiving details regarding the fate of air force navigator Ron Arad. Setting Kuntar free will perhaps bring about the two IDF reservists release after enduring two years in captivity, but it will also bring a closure to any chances of learning details on what happened to Arad.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is expected to meet with members of the Arad family to discuss the situation with them, also on Sunday. Arad’s relatives have up until now refused to meet with Olmert, once again they see another opportunity that could perhaps bring a glimmer of information regarding Arad, slipping through their hands. Meanwhile the Goldwasser and Regev families spent the weekend contacting ministers and Knesset members in an effort to seek their support for a deal with Hizbullah.
Speaking on Channel Two on Saturday, Karnit Goldwasser, Udi’s wife declared that if ministers vote against the deal they will be sealing Udi and Eldad’s fate and distancing even further chances of the two returning home. ‘”If that happens, we will be faced with three more Ron Arad’s not just one,” Karnit declared referring to the fact that since Arad was taken prisoner in southern Lebanon efforts by the government to secure details of his situation and condition have failed.06/28/08
Margot Dudkevitch
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