Second Israel minister backs Hamas soldier talks

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2007

JERUSALEM (AFP) — An Israeli cabinet minister on Tuesday became the second member of government publicly to back negotiations with Hamas to free a soldier who has been held in the Gaza Strip for a year.

"I do not rule out direct negotiations with Hamas to free Gilad Shalit," said Housing Minister Meir Sheetrit, who is a member of the prime minister's Kadima party and Israel's powerful security cabinet.

"I believe that through direct negotiations it would be possible to reach an agreement with them (Hamas)," he said.

Israel blacklists Hamas as a terrorist organisation and refuses to have any contact whatsoever with the Islamist movement, whose charter officially calls for the destruction of the Jewish state.

On Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai...