Props and Tools Revisited

I recently wrote about how the terrorists would use people like Gilad Shalit or Alan Johnston as props and tools in their propaganda campaign.

I certainly wasn't disappointed. That's Johnston on the left, and Ismail Haniyeh on the right. Haniyeh is the top terrorist in Gaza and head of Hamas there. He's responsible for multiple terrorist attacks and has no problem with launching rockets into Israel in its war against Israel.

It looks like whatever differences between the Doghmush clan and Hamas have been resolved, and they will be working together again. I get the feeling that this was all a sham of being able to play bad cop and worse cop.

Carl in Jerusalem points out how his release came to pass:

Useful idiot Alan Johnston was released early this morning by the 'Army of Islam' after a 'prisoner exchange' with Hamas. The fact that Hamas regarded Johnston as its prisoner, and gave up members of the Dugmash clan in return for his release, along with the picture at the top of this post, speaks volumes about who Johnston really is and what he represents. While rejoicing with Johnston, Haniyeh said that kidnapped IDF corporal Gilad Shalit could be released as well if Israel will be 'reasonable.' I wonder how many murderers of Hamas members were released in exchange for Johnston. I would assume none.

The only kind of reasonableness that Hamas wants is the release of hundreds of Palestinian terrorists from Israeli jails in exchange for Gilad Shalit. Anything less has been unacceptable. Israel says that Hamas must now release Shalit.

There will be a demonstration on July 16 in front of the UN building at noon to demand the immediate and unconditional release of Shalit and Goldwasser and Regev who are being held by Hizbullah in Lebanon.