Former cabinet minister and retired Israel Navy admiral Ami Ayalon, who is known for his affiliation with the political left-wing, told Israel Radio on Sunday he favors a prisoner release deal for the return of Gilad Shalit.

“We are now talking about a list of 450 that Hamas provided, and Shalit is worth the price. I am not blind to the dilemma and realize the consequences but we are talking about a soldier who we sent by us and we are responsible to bring home”.

When asked about paying “any price” Ayalon stated “I did not say any price and this includes my opposition to soldiers being killed to bring him home, such as a suicide mission”.  He added that a prisoner exchange deal is preferable over a mission to obtain his release; a mission that may cost the lives of other soldiers to obtain his release.

“I am more of an expert that most Israelis and I feel I am capable of estimating the terrorism that will result from the release of terrorists and this is not a simple matter than can be discussed in a five minute radio interview.”

Regarding Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s position that protests and other actions by Shalit’s family and supporters harm efforts to bring the soldier home, Ayalon stated he does not share the prime minister’s opinion, adding it is the Shalit family’s “right and obligation to do everything to bring Gilad home since the government to date has failed in its mission”.

Ayalon adds he feels that despite the prime minister’s negative comments, the protests to bring Gilad home assist Olmert who needs the backing of ministers to obtain support for a prisoner release deal.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)