DM Barak orders IDF not to transfer bodies of Hamas terrorists to Palestinian Authority

           Cabinet minister Dan Meridor says he supports the decision of Defense Minister Ehud Barak to delay the planned transfer of bodies of terrorists to the Palestinian Authority. Minister Meridor says Israel must keep for itself every possible bargaining chip that could help in achieving a deal for the release of captive soldier Gilad Shalit. Minister Meridor was interviewed on Kol Yisrael this morning. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Eli Yishai opposes the return of the bodies. He calls it unthinkable that Israel should make such an all-out gesture at a time when Gilad Shalit does not receive any gesture at all. Defense Minister Ehud Barak instructed the Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday to continue talks on the transfer of 84 Palestinian bodies to the Palestinian Authority, but said the transfer would only take place if the bodies of Hamas suicide bombers and terrorists from Gaza would not be included. Barak listed several names of bodies that cannot be transferred such as the Awadallah brothers, former leaders of the Hamas military wing in the West Bank, who were previously reported to be on the list of the 84 bodies.(19,30)