Member of Knesset Uri Ariel said Monday "There's an alternative to the current negotiations on [abducted Israeli soldier Gilad] Shalit. All [of Israel's] economic and military leverage should have been used on Gaza to bring about Gilad Shalit's release."

Speaking at a news conference called by his National Union party, Ariel said he told Shalit's father Noam a year ago that Israel's handling of the situation was wrong. He explained, "Ask any expert on terror and he'll tell you, anyone who yields to terror brings more terror on himself."