Turkish PM Erdogan seen as the only chance for Gilad Shalit

TEL AVIV (A.A) - July 6, 2011 - A Turkish-Israeli businessman, who handed a letter from captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit's father to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said "Erdogan is the only one who can save Shalit."
"Erdogan would be the king of Israel if he could bring him home," said Eliko Halit Donmez.
Gilad Shalit was captured by Palestinian groups five years ago. Hamas holds him as a trump card in negotiations with Israel for release of Palestinian political prisoners. German and Egyptian mediation efforts have failed to yield a result so far.
Donmez, who said Erdogan had the most influence over Hamas, handed Noam Shalit's letter to Erdogan last year. In his letter, Shalit asked Erdogan to get involved in efforts for release of his son who was 19 when he was grabbed. Noam Shalit also asked for a meeting with Erdogan, however, such a meeting never happened.
"I lost all my hope. My last chance is Recep Tayyip Erdogan," Noam Shalit was quoted as saying by Donmez.
Donmez said recent uprising in Arab countries, dubbed the Arab Spring, helped cement Turkey's influence and its position as a leader in the region.
"The only power to have an influence over Hamas is Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan," said Donmez in an interview with AA.
"Gilad Shalit is the symbol of Israel and a national case for the country. I think the person who solves this problem will be the national hero of Israel. If Erdogan would be able to bring him home, he would be the king of Israel," Donmez said.
Donmez also said that Hamas would act moderately in case of a deal for exchange of prisoners if Erdogan stepped in as a mediator for release of Shalit.
"In this case, Israel would be more flexible on demands by Hamas," he added.
Donmez said he met Turkish Premier in Ankara only two days after the Israeli raid on Gaza-bound aid ship Mavi Marmara together with Israeli rabbi Menachem Froman who works for peace with Palestine. He said they got warm reception from Erdogan although Turkish-Israeli ties strained as Israeli commandos killed 9 Turks in the raid.