prisoner exchange

Illustrative photo by Shutterstock.com

The real reason Jewish-American spy Jonathan Pollard is back in the news

Pollard is scheduled to be released in November. The issue for Israel is whether the U.S. will allow the Jewish American to move to Israel, where Washington fears he would be given a hero’s welcome. The 30-year saga of convicted spy Jonathan Pollard is once again gaining serious attention in the Israeli, American and international news…

By Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man July 25, 2015

What do genocide, Schalit have to do with Palestinian prisoners?

The recent curtailment of the rights of Palestinian prisoners was presented by Israel as leverage designed to secure the release of Gilad Schalit. But Schalit has been released, while the sanctions remain. This past summer, somewhere around the fifth anniversary of Gilad Schalit’s capture, and several months before his release, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and…

By Haggai Matar November 25, 2011

Palestinians join UNESCO – symbolic step to statehood?

The emotional victory may not be a game-changer, but to consider it merely symbolic is missing deep potential consequences of full acceptance into a UN club. This post has been updated, 31 October, 8:40pm The Palestinian Authority won a major victory on Monday by being accepted to UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural…

By Dahlia Scheindlin October 31, 2011

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WATCH: Livni explains why she opposed Schalit exchange deal

Livni speaks out on the prisoner swap, regional relations and the Arab Spring – but dodges a question on settlement policy During her visit to France this week, Kadima leader and head of the opposition Tzipi Livni sat for an interview with Annette Young of France 24‘s English-language service. Previously foreign minister in the Olmert…

By Lisa Goldman October 26, 2011

This government WANTS Hamas for its “partner”

Mahmoud Abbas’ popularity in the West is a headache for Benjamin Netanyahu. It’s no wonder he’d rather do business with Hamas If I were Bibi Netanyahu, that’s what I’d want. I’d say to myself: “Mahmoud Abbas is a pain in the neck, he’s popular with the West, he makes Israel look bad – he cooperates…

By Larry Derfner October 24, 2011

Rick’s Weekly Wrap: The boy is back in town

Welcome, one and all, to the Weekend Holyland Wrap. No, you cannot take your haz-mat suits off. There’s still Schalit Fever in the air. And smoke. And keep those helmets on. They’ll be needed too. This here is the extreme tour version. | Raging Rechavia “Rick” Berman gives you the week’s top stories as they…

By +972 Magazine October 23, 2011

AmiKaufman, Amik

WATCH: Schalit deal a tough dilemma for Herman Cain, too

During the Gilad Schalit swap, Wolf Blitzer asked Herman Cain if he could see himself authorizing something similar. And then came the Republican debate… [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RtISrjYPOk[/youtube]

By Ami Kaufman October 21, 2011

Neocon lobbyist marks Schalit release with calls for genocide?

Right? I mean, that’s the immediate impression when you read it (h/t Political Correction). Rachel Abrams, who blogs at Bad Rachel, sits on the board of the Emergency Committee for Israel, the very same group that tried accusing Occupy Wall Street of anti-Semitism. Take a deep breath: Yeah. Rwanda, make way, here comes Mrs. Abrams.…

By Dimi Reider October 19, 2011

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WATCH: CNN interview on prisoner exchange

CNN interviewed me again, this time with Israeli Nir Weintraub, in order to hear our opinions on yesterday’s prisoner exchange. Watch the interview here: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvItBRdfn1Y[/youtube]

By Aziz Abu Sarah October 19, 2011

Michael Dukakis in tank (photo: youtube)

Hoping Bibi’s Schalit photo-op could be a Dukakis moment

As my colleague Dimi Reider posted yesterday, the social networks are swamped with pictures of PM Binyamin Netanyahu popping up in famous historical photos, after seeing him in almost every picture that the government released yesterday during the Schalit prisoner swap. The momentum seems to be in full swing, and anyone who opened up their…

By Ami Kaufman October 19, 2011

Memorial candle burning (photo: Ravenscar/Flickr CC)

Release of prisoners bittersweet for family, friends of terror victims

In August of 2002, less than 24 hours after hearing about the death of a dear friend, Marla Ann Bennett, I wrote a column in a prominent British newspaper about the world’s loss. Marla was one of a number of people killed in the bombing of the Hebrew University’s Mt. Scopus campus Frank Sinatra cafeteria.…

By Roee Ruttenberg October 18, 2011

WATCH: Bibi’s true role in historical events

Israeli activists and commentators got tired very quickly of Netanyahu pushing himself into every scene with released soldier Gilad Shalit today. Some of them went on Facebook to take the matter ad absurdum, by placing the prime minister in historic moments he had little real claim to. Like this, by Uri Streigold : Or this, by…

By Dimi Reider October 18, 2011

"Captive" - Schalit poster at Tel Aviv demonstration, 2010 (photo: Lilachd/flickr)

Gilad Schalit, once a captive, is now a soldier again

I have been crying since 10:24 this morning. After three hours, my television was finally on mute, but suddenly my eyes caught a flurry of activity: grainy footage of a tiny but unmistakable youngster, walking in a slanted way and being propped or dragged under his arms by people who obviously controlled him. It was…

By Dahlia Scheindlin October 18, 2011