Palestinians Want Top Terror Bosses For Soldier
Ryan R. Jones - All Headline News Middle East Correspondent Jerusalem, Israel (AHN) - Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday that he will demand Israel release two top terrorist commanders as part of an exchange for abducted Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Corporal Gilad Shalit. Abbas has applauded Egypt for taking a leading role in brokering a prisoner swap between Israel and the Hamas-affiliated terrorists who snatched Shalit outside of the Gaza Strip on June 25. While in New York last week, Abbas told top Israeli officials that he, too, would do everything possible to see the young soldier released. But on Sunday Abbas let Israel know that the price for his involvement would be steep. In an interview with an Arab satellite network, Abbas said he would insist on the release of Fatah official Marwan Barghouti and Ahmed Saadat, head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), as part of any deal on Shalit. Barghouti is serving a string of life sentences after being found guilty of direct involvement in the murders of at least 13 Israelis. He is also accused of founding and commanding the Tanzim and Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade "military wings" of Fatah. Saadat was found guilty of masterminding the 2002 assassination of former Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze'evi. His PFLP has been behind scores of other deadly suicide bombings and shooting attacks. Despite Abbas' increased inv |
