Imprisoned American-Israeli spy part of Shalit-Hamas-Grapel deal: report

[sk2020]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-10/27/c_122206699.htm

JERUSALEM, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- An Israel newspaper affiliated to the religious party Shas, "In the Community", on Thursday reported increasing back-channel efforts to free Jonathan Pollard, an American sentenced in 1987 to a life sentence on spy charges for passing information to Israel. The report comes amid successful prisoners swaps between Israel and Hamas last Tuesday, and again between Israel and Egypt Thursday.

Israel and the United States have already agreed to the terms of the Pollard deal, which include releasing Pollard on humanitarian grounds due to illness, and Israel in exchange temporarily freezing construction in West Bank settlements. The deal is to be concluded in coming weeks, the report said.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Office Spokesman Mark Regev, speaking with Xinhua on Thursday, dismissed the report, saying his office would not comment "about speculation in the press," regarding Pollard.

Israeli authorities said dual U.S.-Israeli citizen Ilan Grapel is set to return to Israel Thursday afternoon, in a prisoner swap with Egypt in return for 25 inmates held by Israel. Grapel was arrested in Cairo on June 12 for allegedly spying for Israel, a charge later lowered to incitement.

[shira]

1. Well, I guess anyone who supports 1000 terrorists being released would have a hard time arguing...

....that a spy needs to remain behind bars for a much longer time period.

[azurnoir]

2. what 1000 terrorist have been released at this time ?

477 have been released for Schalit and 28 non-security prisoners have been released for Grapple the remaining 550 in Schalit deal have not yet even been named and with the rocket attack annd retaliation I seriously doubt that part of the deal will remain intact

[vminfla]

4. That is about 477 too many

Imagine if the US cleared out all of its death row inmates and set them loose in your community.

[F. Baehr]

3. Consider the source...

"Xinhau News" is an extreme right-wing rag controlled by the Chinese government.