ISRAEL / FILE: Israel's Foreign Minister negotiates the release of one of its citizens in return for delivery of Libyan aid to Gaza

Record ID: 396140

  • Title: ISRAEL / FILE: Israel's Foreign Minister negotiates the release of one of its citizens in return for delivery of Libyan aid to Gaza
  • Date: 10th August 2010
  • Summary: LAVRIO, GREECE (FILE - JULY 2010) (REUTERS) SHIP 'AMALTHEA' IN PORT NAME ON SIDE OF SHIP VARIOUS OF AID BEING LOADED ONTO SHIP
  • Embargoed: 25th August 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA7X74B01SGT2DFTB9HF23PRQID
  • Story Text: An Israeli photographer freed from Libyan arrest as part of a secret Austrian-mediated deal arrived in Israel on Monday (August 9).
    Israeli media reported that Rafael Hadad was arrested as a suspected spy in March after travelling to Libya, which is technically at war with Israel, on a Tunisian passport -- his second travel document. Israeli officials ruled out espionage in the case.
    Israel Radio said Hadad, 34, flew to Vienna on Sunday night (August 8) and was met by Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who had negotiated for his return through an Austrian businessman with links to the Libyan leadership.
    "I think that the deal with the Lybian government also was very very successful, reliable. We know that they are reliable partner for the deal and we will respect their demands regarding the - some Palestinian issues, " Lieberman told reporters after landing in Israel with Hadad, who was welcomed warmly by his family members.
    The talks coincided with the sailing last month of a Libyan-chartered aid ship for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which is under an Israeli naval blockade.
    Libya had asked Israel to allow the Moldovan-flagged Amalthea to reach Gaza in exchange for Hadad, the official said.
    In a compromise, the Amalthea docked instead in the nearby Egyptian port of El Arish, and Israel agreed that some 20 prefabricated structures in its cargo be admitted to Gaza.
    Hadad went to Libya to photograph Jewish heritage sites on behalf of Ohr Shalom, an Israeli organisation for Libyan expatriates, its director Pedatzur Ben-Atia told Israel Radio.
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