With the media reporting IDF Colonel (reserves) Lior Lotan is a prominent candidate to replace Ofir Dekel as the premier’s emissary addressing talks relating to captive soldiers; it is fitting to report on the officer’s impressive negotiating qualifications. Should Lotan receive the appointment, the Shalit family will most likely breathe a sigh of optimism, realizing talks towards obtaining Gilad’s release will be in extremely trustworthy hands.
The colonel is a former head of the army’s General Staff negotiating team as well as a former head of IDF Intelligence Corps MIA & POW unit. His resume makes him the most qualified man for job, a professional who in the past has proven his capabilities.
Lotan, a former member of the prestigious Sayeret Matkal commando unit, received the IDF Chief of Staff Commendation for his efforts during the rescue of Sgt. Nachshon Wachsman HY”D, who was eventually murdered brutally by his captors. Then, a captain, Lotan led his force into the Bir Naballah home where the soldier was being held alongside the unit of Captain Nir Poraz HY”D, who was shot and killed during the failed mission.
Despite being wounded three times, Lotan continued leading the force and eliminated two terrorists. After recuperating from his wounds, he moved to the intelligence and negotiating field.
His talents were also used in 2005, talking down opponents to the Gaza/N. Shomron expulsion of the Ariel Sharon administration.
For the past two years, the colonel observed how the Shalit talks were being handled and finally, unable to contain himself, he contacted IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gabi Ashkenazi and the two met privately, with Lotan explaining the failures of the efforts of the Olmert administration vis-à-vis Shalit. Basically, Lotan explains the talks were doomed to fail since Israel is being led by Hamas and not taking the lead.
Some who truly know his abilities told the media that today, with the current realities facing the government regarding Shalit, Netanyahu does not have the luxury of not calling on Lotan to undertake the continuation of the Shalit talks.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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One Response
I certainly DO hope that this fellow can get Gilad out of the hands of the “pereh adam” yishmaelim. Maybe it will help be a kapara for him for “His talents… used in 2005, talking down opponents to the Gaza/N. Shomron expulsion of the Ariel Sharon administration”. An avairah of that magnitude requires a HUGE tikun and maybe this will be the oppotunity HaSh-m is giving him to do that.