Partners for Progressive Israel (Meretz USA) applauds deal to secure the release of Gilad Shalit

On October 12, 2011, Partners for Progressive Israel (formerly Meretz USA) President Dina B. Charnin and Executive Director Ron Skolnik issued this statement on behalf of the organization:

Partners for Progressive Israel (formerly Meretz USA) applauds the Israeli government's approval of the deal that will secure the release of Gilad Shalit later this month, after five painful years in captivity.  We now wait with baited breath for the deal's implementation.

Israel will clearly be paying a very high price, including the release of 279 Palestinian prisoners currently serving life sentences.  The deal reminds us, however, that enormous compromises are often necessary in order to achieve worthy goals.  In this light, we are particularly pleased by the actions of Prime Minister Netanyahu, who had long been opposed to the deal in principle, but who rose above this to do what was necessary and right.