Chaggai Hadas, the prime minister’s emissary negotiating the release of Gilad Shalit is reportedly in Germany, taking part in talks and ongoing German efforts to obtain the soldier’s release. Germany also played a vital role in the Eldad/Goldwasser deal in which Israel received the bodies of the two IDF soldiers in an agreement with Hizbullah.

In an interview on America’s PBS Network, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who is visiting the United States, told his host that Germany is working diligently to assist Egypt in ongoing efforts to negotiate the soldier’s release. Mubarak added that he welcomes Germany’s efforts.

Next week, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will be traveling to Europe where he will be meeting with US Mideast envoy George Mitchell in London. From there, Mr. Netanyahu will be traveling to Germany where he will meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel. It is likely that the Shalit issue will be on Mr. Netanyahu’s agenda.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)