Israel Matzav

Grapel freed by Egypt

American-Israeli anarchist Ilan Grapel is on a plane from Cairo to Tel Aviv (about an hour's flight) as I am writing this post. When he arrives in Israel, he will be brought to Jerusalem to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu (according to Israel Radio and the JPost) or to be debriefed by Defense Ministry officials (according to YNet). Grapel's mother is waiting for him at Ben Gurion and will take him back to the States when he is done with his 'meeting.' Somehow, I suspect we won't be seeing him again here for quite some time, unless he goes to another Arab or Muslim country and we are asked to ransom him again.

JPost writes that the Grapel deal was cover for Egypt to resolve its tensions with Israel over par(they don't say this) Egyptian participation in the August terror attacks along the border outside Eilat.

The United States, which provides the army that now runs Egypt with billions of dollars in military aid, had called for Grapel's release. Analysts said the exchange provided a cover for Egypt to resolve diplomatic strains with Israel.

"I consider it a cover for returning this spy with pressure from the United States," said political analyst Hassan Nafaa.

"The release of those 25 represents a cover that has no meaning in fact. It does not harm Israel and it does not significantly benefit Egyptians," he added. Many of those detained by Israel were convicted of smuggling offenses.

YNet has some interesting coverage of the released Egyptians.

The Egyptian prisoners were given a warm welcome upon their arrival and were greeted by family members and an Egyptian TV crew, which broadcast the handover live. The first three to be transferred were minors. Upon crossing the Taba border they kissed the ground. The three told an Egyptian reporter they were treated well in Israel but have no intention to return in the future.

Upon their arrival in Egypt, some of the prisoners told local TV about their confinement conditions. "It was hard to be in prison, we were separated," one inmate, who spent six years in jail, said. "I was told I'm getting out on Tuesday." Another prisoner charged with drug trafficking claimed they were all treated "very badly."

I guess the kids haven't learned to lie yet.

Labels: anarchists, Cairo, F-16, Ilan Grapel, Mossad

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:59 PM