The background: Egypt has been holding Azzam, an Israeli Druze citizen convicted of spying for Israel - charges categorically denied by Israel - for seven years, with eight years left on his prison sentence. Israel, for its part, is holding Samir Kuntar of Lebanon, who murdered the Haran family in Netanya 24 years ago. The Tenenbaum-Dirani hostage-exchange deal with Lebanon - 400 Arab prisoners, including Ron Arad-kidnapper Dirani and Sheikh Obeid, in exchange for Israeli citizen Elchanan Tenenbaum and three soldiers' bodies - is being held up because Hizbullah demands the release of Kuntar as well.
The U.S. proposed to Egypt that it release Azzam, in exchange for whom Israel would free Kuntar - thus paving the way for the exchange with Hizbullah. Egypt has refused, according to the London-based Al Quds Al-Arabiye newspaper. No mention was made of whether the U.S. offered to release Jonathan Pollard in a similar deal.
In a related item, President Moshe Katzav said today that he believes Ron Arad is alive - and that this is not just "wishful thinking." He did not elaborate further, nor did he say whether Arad is being held in Iran.
The U.S. proposed to Egypt that it release Azzam, in exchange for whom Israel would free Kuntar - thus paving the way for the exchange with Hizbullah. Egypt has refused, according to the London-based Al Quds Al-Arabiye newspaper. No mention was made of whether the U.S. offered to release Jonathan Pollard in a similar deal.
In a related item, President Moshe Katzav said today that he believes Ron Arad is alive - and that this is not just "wishful thinking." He did not elaborate further, nor did he say whether Arad is being held in Iran.