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JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Cpl. Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier abducted by Palestinian political movement Hamas a year ago, said in an audiotape released Monday that his health is deteriorating and that he needs to go the hospital.

"I am the soldier Gilad Shalit, son of Noam Shalit, imprisoned by Izzidine al-Qassam Brigades," the voice says in the message, using the name of Hamas' militant wing. The message was posted on a Hamas Web site and played on Israeli TV. CNN translated the audio from Hebrew.

"It's been a hard year in prison, and my health situation is deteriorating, and I am in need of long-term hospitalization. I am disappointed by the lack of interest on the part of the Israeli government and army and that they are not giving in to the demands of Izzidine al-Qassam Brigades."

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Originally posted by Petsy:
This case of as kidnapped soldier is an outrage. Hamas only proves their vengeful ideations by continuing to flaunt international law.

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Much like Israel is flouting International Law and being a great example?

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Yes yes there will be those here who will point to Israel's occupation etc, and I say lets focus for thiss thread on this young Corporal. Israel's misdeeds are well discussed on many past and present threads. Ana as wll Im constantly told not to mix apples and oranges. Let's see us not mix them here too.

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Then you should not have started the thread drift, and then requested a double standard then, eh?!

[ 25 June 2007: Message edited by: remind ]

Never mind that other situation a bit further to the north.

[ 25 June 2007: Message edited by: ohara ]

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Israel rejected Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' request for a quick release of prisoners to bolster nascent peace moves, saying that Palestinian militants must first free a captured Israeli soldier.

Friday's decision was a setback for the moderate Palestinian leader as he jockeyed with the radical Islamic Hamas group for popular support in the increasingly turbulent West Bank and Gaza. Abbas had hoped Israeli concessions would strengthen his argument that talks - not violence - are the Palestinians' best hope for achieving a state. [...]

Abbas aide Saeb Erekat said Olmert was probably reluctant to buck Israeli public pressure not to release any of the 8,000 Palestinian prisoners until Shalit is released. "It's unfortunate," Erekat said, adding that the decision would hurt Abbas' domestic standing. [...]

Shalit's father, Noam, who has been critical of Israel's efforts to free his son, said he supported a pre-holiday prisoner release.

"I thought it might generate some positive momentum toward a final deal to free Gilad and other prisoners," he told Israel Radio.

Shalit's parents also published an open letter to their son Friday in Arabic in the east Jerusalem daily, Al-Quds.

"We will do everything so that your release and that of the Palestinian prisoners will take place soon," the letter said. "We hope the men of the Palestinian organization are generous enough to show you this letter from your parents, just as we hope that Israeli authorities treat the Palestinian prisoners well and allow them to receive and send letters to their parents."

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So, ohara and petsy, perhaps you can explain to Cpl. Shalit's parents why their son - and 8000 Palestinian prisoners - still need to rot in captivity one year after his capture.

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Originally posted by ohara:
Well what do you know petsy is right again, you are blaming Israel...and thread drift? Is Irael to blame for that as well? You guyzzzzz honestly...

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Why do you insist that Israel has no blame all the time, in face of mountains of evidence and UN sanctions that say otherwise?

Even though I condemn Israel for the massive death and destruction in Gaza following Cpl. Shalit's abduction, and for playing dangerous politics in the area of prisoner release and exchange, that doesn't alter the criminal responsibility of the abductors of Cpl. Shalit, in particular their refusal to release him for the past year, and their failure to apply basic Geneva Convention norms.

I agree with the analysis of this issue published by B'Tselem, the Israeli Information Centre for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories:

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Originally posted by Jingles:
In the face of the illegal occupation, illegal settlements, political murder, and the genocidal policies of Israel in Palestine, it is frustrating that people focus on that idiot and decry his capture as a great crime.

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Nobody focuses on Shalit. He has become a non-issue. Israel doesn't give a damn - that's why Hamas had to release this tape to try to up their bargaining position!