Peres: Lifting Gaza siege dependent on Shalit's release and 'the renunciation of terrorism'

Israeli President, Shimon Peres, has linked the lifting of the siege on Gaza, with both the release of Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, captured by Hamas in 2006 and ‘the renunciation of terrorism’.

During his speech on Sunday morning at the meeting of the Jewish Agency, Peres said, “The day Palestinian leaders in Gaza renounce terrorism, release Gilad Shalit, stop firing missiles and halt their attempts to kidnap Israeli soldiers, the continuity of the security cordon imposed on the Gaza Strip won’t be needed”.

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The President criticized the sailing of international relief convoys aimed at breaking the siege on Gaza. He accused the organizers of such convoys of “legitimizing terrorism” as he considers “anyone who tries to de-legitimize the State of Israel, as someone who gives legitimacy to terrorist organizations.”