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A woman standing next to an Israeli flag in Jerusalem on Monday morning, as the sirens wail to mark Memorial Day. (Lior Mizrahi / BauBau)

Last update - 00:10 24/04/2007


Olmert vows not to repeat 'past mistakes' of prisoner swaps

By Haaretz Service

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, telling bereaved families of terror victims Monday that their feelings would be taken into account in seeking the release of captured soldiers, pledged not to repeat "mistakes made in the past," when terrorists freed in exchange deals again engaged in deadly attacks on Israelis.

Israel came to a standstill for two minutes earlier in the morning, as sirens wailed and Israelis stood at attention to honor the dead. Official ceremonies were held in 43 military cemeteries throughout the country, attended by government ministers, MKs, officers and bereaved families.

Addressing the memorial service for victims of terror, Olmert said that "in the range of heavy and agonizing considerations involved, there is, of course, an honorable place for consideration of your feelings and those of the bereaved families, the victims of acts of hatred and terror."


Olmert stopped short of a promise not to release Palestinians held for lethal attacks on Israelis. But he did vow "never to repeat the mistakes made in the past, the result of which was an increase in terrorism and the return of released terrorists to acts of terror, which took the lives of many Israeli citizens."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/851711.html