First news about possible deal to release Gilad Shalit

Thanks for the news. I hope and we all should hope that it works. It would not mean that, hey presto, THE problems of the Middle East were solved, but it would be a good step into the right direction.

Fingers crossed. We need some good news

Can't imagine what he and his family have been going through.

I would spare a thought for the 280 children (aged 12 - 18) currently being detained in Israeli jails in clear contravention of International Humanitarian Law (specifically Article 76 of the 4th Geneva convention). The crime of stone throwing is much underrated in the West, or so it would seem?

And for the millions of children in Africa ravaged by AIDS.

Not again ,must be about the 28th time

I do think of those children. I suppose many of them will be released now, and I am happy for their families.
But I am also thinking about Yonatan Palmer, 1 year old baby who was killed couple of weeks ago with his father, after their car was hit by a stone throne by a Palestinian.

Complicated...

Kind of hard to figure out how Netanyahu is going to sell this to parliament and the hardliners when you're releasing 1027 prisoners, many back to Hamas and it will again raise the value of captured Israeli soldiers. On the other hand, it strengthens Israeli solidarity within their own country and confirms the human aspect of "bringing home our own". Shalit's release will see a wave of happiness sweep through Israel and that can't be a bad thing.

Tricky call, not one that I envy anyone making.

This seems to be a rare thing in Israeli-Palestinian politics.. a win-win situation.

Bibi said about Shalit's deal: "it's now or never".
He says that because he knows that soon there will be war with Iran, soon.
That's why the Iran/S.Arabia thingy was released now.
Buy oil, its going to be choppy.

Seems like the standard view of the relationship between Palestinians & Israelis too...1000:1

Iranian clerics order attacks on Saudi interests Worldwide
http://www.bahrainviews.com/?p=2026

Is this a chicken race or what?

Well, I think that most of Israeli people do not see the Iranian issue as an Israeli problem, but rather as a problem the whole world needs to deal with, because it is a problem of the global...

The heart of Israelis is now with the family of Gilad Shalit, and with the families who lost their children in the terror attacks, and will now face the release of their daughters and sons murderers.

Since 1979, Iran has abstained from attempts to capture Arab areas in the Arabian Gulf. The KSA not least intervened on Bahrain upon reports that Iran was meddling in Bahrain affairs. And now, there apparently is an Iranian wish to retaliate.

The matter right now is not really "global" but primarily the dramatic breakdown of the SaudiArabian-Iranian partnership, sealed a few years ago by a kind of "non-aggression-pact". Brought about by the gradual return of the IRI leadership to the aggressive positions of the Imperial Iranian Leadership of the Pahlavis

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15325046

Israel names prisoners involved in the swap

A few interesting points:

1. Egypt's "new" regime was involved in the agreement. regardless of the rabid public opinion in Egypt - it has a lot to gain by keeping relations with Israel.
2. The Deal was done without a "Quartet", lots of NGOs and has-been politicians vying for another 15 minutes of fame - both sides had something to gain, so no need for those.
3. A 1000 to 1 ratio makes palestinian loses in Gaza (or Lebanese) seem minute.
4. The Chances of terrorists to be taken captive rather then killed will probably decrease. vica versa for Israeli soldiers.

As far as I'm aware, few if any of those children have been chosen by Hamas for release in the prisoner exchange agreement.

Almost all are at least 16 years old and are serving short sentences (compare the sentences for their attemped murders to the rioters in England)

If a 17 year old is child, then Shalit, aged 19 when kidnapped was also a child.

How many Kids does Castro keep in Jail ? how many of those were raped ?

Just to be clear, my user name is based on a hip district in San Francisco