Olmert’s Firing of Negotiator Worries Shalit Family, Officials

Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s firing of his envoy to negotiations being brokered by Egypt is unsettling to a number of officials and to the family of captive soldier Gilad Shalit. Olmert lashed out at Amos Gilad after the negotiator criticized an 11^th-hour intervention by Olmert that was read by Hamas as a flip-flop on already-agreed-upon issues and, according to some, has jeopardized negotiations altogether. Gilad represented Israel in negotiations regarding a long-term truce with Hamas, the return of Shalit and the issue of smuggling tunnels between Gaza and Egypt. Olmert has appointed the head of the Shin Bet domestic security agency and another close aide to replace Gilad. He also filed a formal complaint with the Civil Service Commission. A public group lobbying for Shalit’s return issued a statement blasting Olmert, charging that had officials “invested half as much effort in securing Gilad’s release as they did in internal politics, he would have been home long ago."