An Israeli official said Saturday that Israel will free two prisoners as a 'goodwill gesture' following the repatriation of a soldier's remains from Syria, over 35 years since he went missing in action.
In a photo provided by the Israel Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a memorial service for IDF Sgt. Zachary Baumel on April 4 in Moscow.
In an interview with RT, the Russian national broadcast channel, Alexander Lavrentiev, Russia’s envoy to Syria, said the return of Baumel’s body had not been a “unilateral” step. The repatriation of Baumel’s remains, formalized in a Moscow ceremony attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 4, was announced only five days ahead of contentious Israeli elections, and unified war-weary Israelis for whom the ideal of not leaving soldiers behind remains a living paradigm.
“Unfortunately, yes,” he replied, when asked if the repatriation of a war hero had been programmed with the imminent vote in view, “but I am more than happy that Baumel has been returned to his family.” But the new government is not yet formed, and Netanyahu, who is expected to be indicted on several corruption charges pending a July hearing, confronts a series of political challenges.
The Israeli official who spoke to media said the decision had been approved by the attorney general and was signed by Rivlin.
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