During his trip to Cairo, Amos Gilad will discuss a prisoner exchange for the return of Gilad Shalit. Avodah and Kadima desperately need to bring Shalit back before the elections to boost their ratings.
During the Security Cabinet meeting, Livni and Barak twisted the arm of Public Security Minister Avi Dichter, forcing him to change his stance on prisoner “exchange.” Now Dichter accepts releasing Jew-murderers (“blood on hands”) and only asks that they be transferred to Gaza or Lebanon.
From a practical viewpoint, the terrorists can return to their trade in Gaza even more easily than in the West Bank. Even in Lebanon, they would take on an educational role, as Samir Kuntar did.
Previous governments also have released Jew-murderers, as Rabin did in the Jericho deal.
It is far from certain whether Shalit is alive. During the Gaza campaign, Hamas refused to take responsibility for his safety.
