Journalists Slam Egyptian Interview of Shalit
Israeli officials harshly criticized an Egyptian television interview with soldier Gilad Shalit minutes after Hamas militants freed him in a prisoner swap Tuesday, saying the questioning was inappropriate and insensitive.
In the interview aired on Egyptian state television, a gaunt, sallow and uncomfortable looking Shalit appeared to struggle to speak at times, and his breathing was noticeably labored as he awkwardly answered questions. The footage, along with earlier Egyptian TV video showing Shalit being transferred to Egypt, were the first images seen of the soldier after more than five years in Hamas captivity.
Armed Hamas militants were in the area during the interview. One of them stood behind Shalit?s chair, wearing a black face mask and a green headband of the Qassam brigades, Hamas? military wing, with a video camera in his hand.
An Israeli official questioned the ethics of the journalists involved.
?We are all shocked that a so-called interview was forced on (Shalit) before he could even talk to his family or set foot on Israeli soil,? the Israeli official said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was discussing a sensitive diplomatic matter, but said the sentiment was widely shared in official Israeli ranks.
Amin defended the interview. She told Israel?s Channel 10 TV that she would not have forced Shalit to speak if he didn?t want to, and he seemed willing to do so.
Amin said on the BBC World Service?s World Have Your Say on Tuesday that she had asked to conduct the interview on her program, and the Egyptian information minister said it would be arranged.
?I met with intelligence officials yesterday and they said it would happen but didn?t know if [the interview] would go ahead until the last minute. I wasn?t aware anyone had actually forced Shalit into doing this,? she added.
Israeli media discussed the interview at length, with commentators calling it insensitive. Channel 10 commentator and presenter Raviv Drucker said her questions would ?likely win the title of the stupidest questions of the past 100 years.?
?It wasn?t the most sensitive thing to do. An interview forced on a prisoner just released is a low thing to do,? Drucker said.
Israeli TV anchor Yonit Levy called the interview ?borderline torture.?
For more, go to Haaretz.com
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