Grapel Prisoner Swap Agreed

by Jeremy Last - Tuesday 25th October 2011

Israel this week agreed to another prisoner swap with its Arab neighbours, just six days after IDF soldier Gilad Shalit was exchanged for 1,027 Palestinians.

As Shalit tasted his first days of freedom, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that 25 Egyptian prisoners will be freed in return for the release of Ilan Grapel.

Top stories

email this page to a friend print this page email the editor buy this content Bookmark and Share
Grapel is an American Israeli who was arrested in Cairo in June after being accused of spying for Israel.

The 27-year-old, who made aliya in 2005 and served in the IDF during the 2006 Second Lebanon War, was held without charge by the Egyptian authorities and Israel consistently denied accusations he was involved in espionage activities during the downfall of former president Hosni Mubarak.

The prisoner exchange is expected to be completed by the end of October, as long as it is approved by the Israeli security council.

However, unlike the Shalit deal, which saw the freeing of hundreds of convicted murderers responsible for fatal terrorist attacks against Israelis, Netanyahu said none of the Egyptians to be released are security prisoners. The majority are believed to have been arrested on spying charges.

In a statement, Israel noted the "assistance of the US" in securing the deal to release Grapel, who returned to live in America after being injured during the 2006 conflict.

The news was welcomed by his local congressman, Gary Ackerman, who represents the New York neighbourhood of Queens where Grapel lives and had lobbied the Egyptian army for his release.

"We cannot be more relieved and gratified that Ilan will finally be freed and that he will soon be reunited with his family. For four long months, we worked tirelessly to win Ilan's release, and at last this long and terrible ordeal that Ilan and his loved ones have been forced to endure is almost over," Ackerman said.

Meanwhile, Shalit was this week getting used to life outside of the Hamas prison cell where he spent five and a half years.

On Monday he was visited by President Shimon Peres, who praised the 25-year-old for his resilience and strength of character.

Peres told Shalit: "As a man, as a human, you have passed the test of harsh captivity that not many people could endure. Gilad, know that the entire nation, from infants to senior citizens enlisted to bring you home."

Shalit spoke only a few words during the meeting, telling Peres: "Thank you for all the support and help that you gave to my family."

Shalit's father Noam spoke on his behalf, thanking the Israeli public, who have continued to shower the family with gifts and well wishes.

"He has seen the people and appreciates it. He knows about the widespread public support during the years of the struggle. He is aware of it and is grateful for it," Noam Shalit said.

Israeli politicians this week continued to react to the controversial deal which secured Shalit's freedom, with opposition leader Tzipi Livni attracting widespread criticism when she revealed she opposed the deal.

Livni claimed it was bad for Israel, telling newspaper Yedioth Aharonoth: "What matters is that Israel today is weaker and Hamas much stronger, and no one can dispute that."

A spokesman for Netanyahu's Likud party responded by saying: "Livni doesn't know what responsibility is and she is acting out of political considerations that even members of her own party don't accept.

Read the latest copy of The Jewish News Online by clicking here.

Bookmark and Share