News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) Two-thirds of Israelis would not agree with any initiative releasing PLO convicts "with blood on their hands" in exchange for captive soldier Gilad Shalit, according to a Tuesday poll by the Hebrew-language Maariv newspaper.  Shalit was abducted by Hamas terrorists 18 months ago. “Blood on their hands” currently applies to any terrorist who was involved in a fatal attack on Israelis, including the commander who gave the order, whether or not they personally carried out the attack.  A terrorist who tried to kill Jews but failed is not labeled as having blood on his hands.

The majority of respondents – 59 percent - were also opposed to conducting a truce agreement with Hamas, with 46 percent in favor of a large-scale invasion of Gaza by the IDF.

Hamas has recently demanded the release of hundreds of terrorist convicts as ransom for Shalit.  Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appointed a Cabinet committee this week to review the government's criteria for freeing the criminals.