Israel will not reopen Gaza Strip's border crossings until the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit from capitivity in the Hamas-ruled coastal enclave, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Sunday. "We will not allow the opening of the crossings to Gaza, to the extent that it will bring life back to normal, certainly not before Gilad Schalit is home," Olmert said, according to the JPost.
In his comments, Olmert conceded that Israel will need to free many Hamas prisoners in exchange for Sahlit's release. "There are those who might say it is a point of weakness, others will call it a point of great strength that the life of one is so important to us," Olmert said in an address to Jewish American leaders.
The Israeli leader noted that Israel's top priority was attaining Shalit's release, followed by the end of arms-smuggling into Gaza from the Egyptian border, and an end to rocket attacks from Gaza.
Regarding Iran, Olmert said that he was certain that US President Barack Obama will "not tolerate" a nuclear Iran. He added that Israel should be a part of an international effort against Tehran going nuclear but not the leader of such a campaign.
