Prime Minister Ehud Olmert now appears to be backing down from his prisoner exchange deal with Hizbullah.
 
Despite increasing efforts by the parents and family members of Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, the prime minister is confronted by staunch opposition to the deal by army intelligence, ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet), and other high-ranking officials, all making the assumption that the soldiers are dead – resulting in their objections to trading prisoners for bodies.
 
In addition, the fact that Olmert was willing to release Samir Kuntar sparked much opposition, since Kuntar is seen as the trump card towards obtaining Ron Arad’s release. Releasing him now would signal Israel has given up hope of seeing Arad in the future, a reality that is unacceptable to most.
 
Opponents to the prime minister continue to accuse him of selling the nation’s interests short in the hope of saving himself, insisting he is moving irresponsibly in the hope of cutting deals with Hizbullah, Syria and the PA, calling upon him to step down from office since he has obviously lost his mandate from the people, and according to many, even from members of his own Kadima Party.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)