Barak: Shalit's freedom not at any cost

JERUSALEM, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Israel will do its utmost to secure the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, but not at any cost Defense Minister Ehud Barak said.

Meeting with school pupils at the beginning of the new school year Tuesday at a school near the Gaza Strip, the Israeli defense minister said negotiations are harsh and sometimes cruel, Haaretz reported. "It is not a race to see who wants Shalit home the most," the newspaper quoted Barak saying.

Asked by one of the students whether Israel will protect his life when he joins the army, Barak said, "We are not in western Europe or North America," but told the student, one thing he can be assured of is that his comrades-in-arms will be prepared to sacrifice their lives in order to save him, Maariv said.

Barak's statements angered the Shalit family who told the newspaper they expected less talk and more action from government ministers.

"Reservist officers and soldiers expect Barak to show responsibility and display leadership qualities, and lead the campaign for Shalit's release," Zahi Leon, a key campaigner for Shalit's release said. "After more than three years we expect Barak not to cover up with Ehud Olmert or Binyamin Netanyahu's bulletproof vest, but to speak less and do more," Maariv quoted him saying.

Shalit was abducted by Islamic militants in a cross border raid near the Gaza Strip in June 2006 and was taken to Gaza, where he has been held captive ever since.