The South African Civil Society Information Service

Israel/Palestine Prisoner Swap: What are the Political Ramifications?

21 Oct 2011

Five years ago Palestinian fighters launched a daring raid that ended in the capture of an Israeli Soldier, Gilad Shalit. The goal was to exchange him for the thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. 

That swap took place on Tuesday this week with 470 Palestinians and the Isreali soldier released in the first stage of a deal mediated by Egypt. 

Eventually a total of 1000 palestinians will go free. Despite this over 5000 prisoners will remain in Israeli jails.

The deal has considerable political ramifications. Al Jazeera talks to Palestinian MP Mustafa Barghouthi, Phyllis Bennis of the Institute for Policy Studies, and Colonel Miri Eisen, former media advisor to Israeli prime minister.

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