Mere Rhetoric: Abbas: Hamas Will Free Shalit Soon. Hamas: No We Won't.

In fairness, you have to give Abbas the benefit of the doubt about how the Palestinians are going to free Shalit. After all, the Palestinians would never promise something to Israel and then fail to follow through on it:

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas promised Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at their meeting in Jerusalem Sunday that he will work for the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Schalit before the establishment in the next few days of a PA unity government, senior government officials said. The officials said Abbas's comments came after Olmert called for the unconditional release of Schalit. Despite Abbas's assurances, diplomatic officials expressed skepticism at his ability to deliver.

Now why would diplomatic officials express skepticism over Abbas's promises? Maybe because he has no power and Hamas says they're not going to free Shalit. But that's just a guess:

Officials in Hamas have said that the creation of the new Palestinian unity government and the release of abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit are in no way connected to one another, Israel Radio reported Monday.Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas told Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during their meeting Sunday that he would make an effort to secure the release of Shalit as soon as possible, and perhaps before the formation of the new PA unity government.

Yet again, we fail to see why we should care whether Abbas is a terrorist, working for terrorist,s or unable to stop terrorists. The result is the same: crimes against Israeli soldiers and civilians by Palestinian terrorists and militia.

References:
* Hamas: No connection between Shalit release, formation of unity gov't [Ha'aretz]

Previously:
* Palestinians Say They Won't Release Shalit Because of Qana - Asks World to Forget That They Weren't Going to Release Him Anyway
* It's Official: The Internationally-Recognized Palestinian Government Is Holding Gilad Shalit Hostage
* MR Attempts an Answe to the Question: How Could They Be So Stupid? (Summer Rain Is Not Just About Freeing Shalit)

[Cross-posted to Israpundit]

About

Omri Ceren is a PhD student studying Rhetoric at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication. He lives in downtown Los Angeles.
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