40 %
9 4
Petermati
For State Representative
compared Shalit's situation to that of
Ron Arad, an Israeli airman who bailed
out over Lebanon in 1986. For the first
two years, Arad was held in Lebanon
by various militias while Israel deliber-
ated over if and how to bargain for his
return. Then he disappeared — to Iran,
Israel assumes — and the trail went
cold.
Shalit's family has
argued that Hamas
eventually could
decide to smuggle
Shalit out of Gaza
through the Egyptian
Sinai and on to
Lebanon or Iran.
Ehud
"The similarities
Goldwasser
between the cases of
Shalit and of Arad
are terrifying," Ayalon
said.
Olmert has given
no indication of how
he might now pur-
sue the Shalit issue,
though on Sunday he
offered public reas-
Eldad Regev
surance.
"I phoned the Shalit family and
promised, in all of our names, that we
will do everything to bring Gilad Shalit
back home — alive, healthy, in one
piece, and as quickly as possible;' he
told his Cabinet in broadcast remarks.
"I don't have to tell you that it's not
simple; it's not easy. Just as we labored
for two whole years, day in and day out,
to bring back Udi and Eldad, may they
rest in peace, we are doing the same
thing for Gilad Shalit. We will not be
still or silent until he comes back!"
Freeing Shalit would be an enor-
mous morale booster for Israel after
the dispiriting sight of Goldwasser and
Regev returning in black coffins July
16. It also could distract from a cor-
ruption case dogging Olmert and free
up Israel's armed forces to invade Gaza
McCain Courts Israel
Washington/JTA — Sen. John McCain
gave a rare Israeli television interview
on the eve of his rival's visit to the
region. McCain rapped Sen. Barack
Obama, D-Ill., on experience and
showcased his own devotion to Israel.
"I have been to Israel many, many,
many times': McCain said. "My first visit
was with Sen.`Scoop' Jackson years ago.
"I know the Middle East. I know the
issues and the challenges, and I know
that these are very difficult times for
the State of Israel!"
should there be a major resumption of
cross-border rocket fire.
Israeli officials have hinted that the
military was being kept in check at
least partly out of concern that Shalit
could be executed as a reprisal.
But while Hamas in Gaza might suf-
fer from losing its bargaining chip, in
the West Bank it would reap major stra-
tegic rewards.
The release roster filed by Hamas
includes scores of its senior West Bank
terrorists, including the planners of sui-
cide bombing campaigns.
Returned home and free to oper-
ate, they could undermine Palestinian
Authority President Mahmoud Abbas,
who has tried to build on his split with
llamas last year by reviving peace talks
with Olmert and instituting a law-and-
order drive in the West Bank.
"We are talking about creating a 'gen-
eral staff' for llamas in the West Bank,"
said Amram Abramovitch, a senior
commentator for Israel's Channel 2
television. "That would basically elimi-
nate Abu Mazen," he said, using Abbas'
nickname.
Yediot Achronot reported that Olmert
would convene his security chiefs to
think of a new approach to the Shalit
negotiations while dispatching envoy
Ofer Dekel to Cairo with orders to
appeal to the Egyptian regime to apply
pressure on llamas.
Various stop-gap ideas include bring-
ing in French or German mediators
or holding simultaneous shuttle talks
between Israeli and llamas delegates
in Cairo along the model of the indirect
Israeli-Syrian talks underway in Turkey.
But, according to an unnamed senior
Egyptian official quoted in Yediot, even
the Egyptians are not hopeful of a
breakthrough.
"After your prisoner exchange with
Hezbollah, we have to let things calm
down': the official said.
But McCain was circumspect when
asked about the possibility of Israel
attacking Iranian nuclear sites, saying
that diplomatic pressure on Tehran
should be allowed to run its course.
"I would hope that would never
happen': he said. "I would hope that
Israel would not feel that threatened':
he added, saying the U.S. and Europe
"could impose significant, very painful
sanctions on Iran which I think could
modify their behavior.
"But I have to look you in the eye and
tell you that the United States of America
can never allow a second Holocaust."
About Amy Peterman
Born in Oak Park, Amy Peterman is a
33-year resident of West Bloomfield. She
and her husband Michael have four children.
Jack and Amanda attend Walled Lake
Central, Jeffrey attends Frankel Jewish
Academy and David attends Oakland
University.
Amy Peterman is
committed to our
families & community
Amy Peterman is a member of
Temple Israel and is active in our
community. She's raised money
for numerous charities, served as
Area Captain for the American Cancer Society and organized fund
raising for the Relay for Life and the Lupus Alliance.
Amy Peterman has the right experience
During her twenty-year law career, Amy Peterman has helped
local families with the adoption of their children. She has also
served as Walled Lake school board president where she helped
increase MEAP scores and ensured thousands of young people
received a world class education.
Amy Peterman has the
right priorities
Amy Peterman has offered
detailed plans to fix our economy,
create jobs, lower gas prices and
reform government. And Amy
Peterman is especially concerned
about the condition of our roads. Orchard Lake road is a disgrace
and Amy Peterman will work to make sure our area receives its
fair share of road funding from the state.
Amy Peterman is trusted and endorsed
Amy Peterman is endorsed by the West Bloomfield Police Officers
Assn., the Police
Officers Assn. of
Michigan, AG Mike
Cox, Rep. Joe
Knollenberg and
hundreds more!
Vote for
Amy Peterman
for State Rep
on Aug 5th!
Amy Peterm & Family
Paid
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July 24 • 2008
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