Rep. Ackerman Describes His Role in Grapel’s Release

Jason Attermann — November 3, 2011 – 11:48 am | Democrats | Foreign Policy | Israel Comments (0) Add a comment

In an interview with The Hill, Representative Gary Ackerman (D-NY) detailed his involvement in successfully freeing Ilan Grapel, a former intern accused by Egyptian authorities of spying for Israel during the unrest in Tahrir Square. Upon hearing of Grapel’s arrest in June, Ackerman immediately began working on his release, contacting Egyptian and Israeli officials:

During a June meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ackerman was given further assurances that Grapel was not an agent acting on behalf of the Israeli government.

‘He reassured me that [Grapel] was not a spy, and also told me he would be willing to do anything and everything to secure his release,’ Ackerman said.

The congressman also reached out to top members of the Egyptian Supreme Council of the Armed Forces on the matter.

The top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, Ackerman has had a longstanding relationship with Egyptian officials, including Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi and Maj. Gen. Mohamed El-Assar.

‘I wasn’t an unknown factor to them,’ he said, adding that this relationship likely helped expedite Grapel’s release.

After months of quiet negotiations and appeals, Ackerman successfully completed a deal in which Egypt would release Grapel in exchange for 25 Egyptian prisoners in Israeli custody.

The deal between Egyptian authorities and Israel turned out to be Grapel’s release in exchange for 25 low-level criminals, including smugglers and border-crossers incarcerated in Israel.

When asked if he felt any frustration at such a deal and whether it sets a dangerous precedent, Ackerman said that such trades have ‘been done throughout history.’

‘That goes on all the time,’ he added. ‘It’s a very noble notion to redeem hostages in one way or another. And to get back something you want, you have to pay a price.’...

‘It could have gone wrong,’ [Abbe] Lowell added. ‘It probably hasn’t registered how lucky, in some ways, he is.’

Click here to read further on Ackerman’s key role in Grapel’s release. Click here to view the video of Grapel meeting with Ackerman, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and others following his release. 

 

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