Report: Grapel to be Released ‘Within Hours’
Egyptian media reports that accused spy Ilan Grapel will be released 'within hours' in exchange for prisoners.
By Elad Benari
First Publish: 10/12/2011, 10:33 PM
Ilan Grapel
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In the wake of the deal to free kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, Egyptian media outlets reported on Wednesday that Ilan Grapel, the Israeli being held in Egypt on spying charges, will soon be released as well.
Israel’s Channel 10 News cited a report in an Egyptian newspaper which said that based on understandings between officials at the American Embassy in Cairo, it was agreed that Egypt will release Grapel within hours and in return, Israel and the United States will release Egyptian prisoners.
The report was unconfirmed elsewhere.
On Tuesday, Egyptian state prosecutors said Grapel will also be charged with incitement to destroy government property, in addition to the spying charges.
The officials claimed witnesses have testified that Grapel encouraged them to set fire to police buildings.
Grapel, 27, has been in Egyptian custody since June. Egypt has accused him of attempting to recruit its citizens to work as agents for the Mossad, as well as inciting Egyptian youth to violence during the popular protests that saw the April 11 ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.
Earlier this week it was reported that Cairo is demanding that Israel free 81 Egyptian prisoners in exchange for Grapel’s freedom.
The demand was presented during the visit of U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who traveled to Cairo partly with the intention of bringing Grapel back with him to the U.S. following talks. Instead, Panetta was forced to leave Egypt empty-handed.
Earlier reports had said that the Obama administration agreed to increase its political and financial support to Egypt, a fact which caused Egypt to agree to release Grapel. It was not clear what prompted Egyptian officials to refuse at the last moment to refuse to release the American-Israeli student and increase their prisoner exchange demands.
(Arutz Sheva’s North American Desk is keeping you updated until the start of Sukkot in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)
NOTE:
" Ilan Grapel, the Israeli being held in Egypt on spying charges ...." Grapel is a United States citizen. He holds a "dual citizenship" and therefore, is an American-Israeli citizen. Earlier reports have stated Grapel is a college student in the U.S. before leaving for Egypt. As a non-Muslim, a Jew who served in the Israeli army and holding both a US/Israeli citizenship, he was a prime candidate for either a kidnapping or, one accused of "spying". Hey, it worked so well with Hamas, why not try it - ...?! His little "holiday" has become quite costly for all involved, just as the three students held in Iran was also a costly affair, amounting to 1.5 MILLION to Iran for their release.
One thing these Islamic countries have learned is kidnapping is a very lucrative business.
These young college students need a course on Islam 101 before they decide to go hiking or touring Islamic countries.
As for Obama promising Egypt "political and financial support" - you've got to be kidding! Obama has already "forgiven" Egypt's debt to the US and has promised them more financial aid; something Congress is attempting to block, along with blocking aid to the Palestinians. But, by-passing or vetoing a bill from Congress is something this administration is famous for doing.
"Political" support? What? Is Obama going to offer free vacations to Egypt? I believe since the Arab Spring, the Egyptian military take over, the arrest of Graple, the burning of Israel's embassy, that should be enough warning signs for every American citizen to cancel any trips to see the Cairo museum!
Lastly, Egypt's refusal to release Grapel to Panetta is a good demonstration that for Egypt, there is no respect for the U.S. or its citizens - time to cut off that aid permanently!
Israel’s Channel 10 News cited a report in an Egyptian newspaper which said that based on understandings between officials at the American Embassy in Cairo, it was agreed that Egypt will release Grapel within hours and in return, Israel and the United States will release Egyptian prisoners.
The report was unconfirmed elsewhere.
On Tuesday, Egyptian state prosecutors said Grapel will also be charged with incitement to destroy government property, in addition to the spying charges.
The officials claimed witnesses have testified that Grapel encouraged them to set fire to police buildings.
Grapel, 27, has been in Egyptian custody since June. Egypt has accused him of attempting to recruit its citizens to work as agents for the Mossad, as well as inciting Egyptian youth to violence during the popular protests that saw the April 11 ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.
Earlier this week it was reported that Cairo is demanding that Israel free 81 Egyptian prisoners in exchange for Grapel’s freedom.
The demand was presented during the visit of U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who traveled to Cairo partly with the intention of bringing Grapel back with him to the U.S. following talks. Instead, Panetta was forced to leave Egypt empty-handed.
Earlier reports had said that the Obama administration agreed to increase its political and financial support to Egypt, a fact which caused Egypt to agree to release Grapel. It was not clear what prompted Egyptian officials to refuse at the last moment to refuse to release the American-Israeli student and increase their prisoner exchange demands.
(Arutz Sheva’s North American Desk is keeping you updated until the start of Sukkot in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)
NOTE:
" Ilan Grapel, the Israeli being held in Egypt on spying charges ...." Grapel is a United States citizen. He holds a "dual citizenship" and therefore, is an American-Israeli citizen. Earlier reports have stated Grapel is a college student in the U.S. before leaving for Egypt. As a non-Muslim, a Jew who served in the Israeli army and holding both a US/Israeli citizenship, he was a prime candidate for either a kidnapping or, one accused of "spying". Hey, it worked so well with Hamas, why not try it - ...?! His little "holiday" has become quite costly for all involved, just as the three students held in Iran was also a costly affair, amounting to 1.5 MILLION to Iran for their release.
One thing these Islamic countries have learned is kidnapping is a very lucrative business.
These young college students need a course on Islam 101 before they decide to go hiking or touring Islamic countries.
As for Obama promising Egypt "political and financial support" - you've got to be kidding! Obama has already "forgiven" Egypt's debt to the US and has promised them more financial aid; something Congress is attempting to block, along with blocking aid to the Palestinians. But, by-passing or vetoing a bill from Congress is something this administration is famous for doing.
"Political" support? What? Is Obama going to offer free vacations to Egypt? I believe since the Arab Spring, the Egyptian military take over, the arrest of Graple, the burning of Israel's embassy, that should be enough warning signs for every American citizen to cancel any trips to see the Cairo museum!
Lastly, Egypt's refusal to release Grapel to Panetta is a good demonstration that for Egypt, there is no respect for the U.S. or its citizens - time to cut off that aid permanently!
