Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Sunday, 5 Elul, warned against repeating the mistakes of the Shalit deal, in which Israel released 1,027 terrorists from prison in return for soldier Gilad Shalit and the remains of other soldiers. His remarks coincided with the announced resignation of Government POW & MIA Coordinator Colonel Lior Lotan, as Lotan announced he will be stepping down.

The families of soldiers Lt. Hadar Goldin HY”D and Oron Shaul HY”D, both killed in Operation Protective Edge in Gaza in 2014, expressed criticism over Lotan’s resignation, demanding the appointment of his replacement immediately. Mrs. Goldin told the media she and her family are paying the bill for the Shalit prisoner release. Lieberman in his remarks added he accepts the criticism from families who want their loved ones returned, including the bodies of the soldiers above for kvura, as well as Avraham Mengistu, Hisham al-Sayed and Ibrahim Abu Ghanima, all three believed alive in Gaza and held by Hamas.

Liberman added that despite understanding the pain and grief of the families, Israel must not “repeat the mistakes of the Shalit deal”. The senior minister pointed out that 202 of the released terrorists have since been rearrested for involvement in terror, and 111 are still in Israeli prison. He added that seven Israelis have been directly or indirectly murdered because of involvement of released terrorists.

He called for adopting the conclusions of the Shamgar Commission of 2012, which calls on state officials to maintain stricter negotiating positions and prisoner exchanges, with the latter remaining confidential.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)