Analyst on PA TV: Abbas visit to Peres' funeral will bring us positive international attention, just like our humanitarian treatment of Gilad Shalit - Return to violence is an option

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Analyst on PA TV: Abbas visit to Peres' funeral will bring us positive international attention, just like our humanitarian treatment of Gilad Shalit
Official Palestinian Authority TV - Oct. 1, 2016

Official PA TV program Inside, about the treatment of captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ participation in the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres, hosting political analyst Hani Abu Zaid
Political analyst Hani Abi Zaid is asked about the criticism against PA Chairman Abbas for participating in the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres.
Political analyst Hani Abi Zaid: “However, those criticizing [PA President Mahmoud Abbas for participating in the funeral of former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres] do not know that [PA] President [Mahmoud Abbas] made a humane visit that has no political standing, but rather as I noted [was made] to block the path of the ]Israeli] extremist government…
Now, as for the results, when I talk about the humanitarian and psychological side, let me give you an example. We, with our cultural and religious heritage, when [Israeli soldier] Gilad Shalit was taken captive, did we torture him? Did we starve him? Did we treat him harshly? No one has criticized this treatment [of Shalit]. Therefore, this treatment is part of the treatment of prisoners, even though he is a soldier, and possibly also a murderer-”
Official PA TV host: “And he was taken captive in battle.”
Hani Abi Zaid: “And he was taken captive in battle. Despite this, the humanitarian side to his captivity [is that] he was treated as a prisoner of war. Therefore, in light of the expected results we guarded his life. For this reason we tried as much as possible to gain benefit and [positive] results from this treatment. Therefore, the visit of President Abbas and his participation in the funeral has very great positive ramifications.”

Gilad Shalit was an Israeli soldier who was kidnapped and held hostage by Hamas for more than 5 years. During that time, he was denied visits from the International Committee of the Red Cross and was not allowed communication with his family, in violation of his rights under the Geneva Convention. Numerous human rights organizations criticized Hamas for confining Shalit under conditions that were contrary to international humanitarian law. In October 2011, the Israeli government agreed to release 1,027 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prison in exchange for Shalit.