Of late, amid many statements released by politicians surrounding Operation Pillar of Defense, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has come under attack for claiming to not negotiate with Hamas. A number of members of the political community have pointed out that Netanyahu and his government did just that when they negotiated the Shalit prisoner release deal, which brought the IDF soldiers home after years in captivity, agreeing to release over 1,000 terrorists towards achieving the goal.

What has many irked is that among the critics of the prime minister for negotiating with Hamas is none other than Noam Shalit, the father of Gilad, who at the time called on the prime minister and others in government “to do everything possible to bring my son home”. No one condemns the statements of a pained father, but now, after Gilad is home safe and sound; to condemn the prime minister for speaking with Hamas might be viewed as chutzpah by some.

The senior Shalit claims that the prime minister spoke with Hamas, yet failed to advance the negotiating process with Abu Mazen and the PA (Palestinian Authority). He adds that he always felt one must speak with one’s opponent, in this case Hamas and the PA.

About a month ago, after making similar statements, correspondent Kalman Lipskind labeled Noam Shalit “the most insolent person” adding, if there was ever a title given for the most insolent person in the world, he would earn that title as well.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)