ILAN GRAPEL, an Israeli-American who was jailed in Egypt in June, flew to Israel last night in exchange for 25 Egyptians imprisoned in Israel.
In contrast to last week’s release of Gilad Shalit, the soldier who was freed by Hamas in return for more than 1,000 Palestinian detainees, the return of Mr Grapel was distinctly low key.
After his plane touched down Mr Grapel was met by his mother Irene, who had travelled from the US for his return. He then went to Jerusalem for a brief meeting with prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu and was expected to fly back to his family in the US after a security debriefing.
As Mr Grapel flew to Israel, 25 Egyptians convicted of criminal offences such as drug smuggling and crossing the border illegally were transferred to the Egyptian Sinai via the Taba crossing next to the Red Sea resort of Eilat.
Jubilant crowds welcomed the returnees, nearly all Bedouin from the Sinai, and an official ceremony was held, which was attended by the two Sinai governors and Egyptian officials. Relieved relatives praised the military rulers in Cairo for bringing about the deal.
Mr Grapel (27) was arrested by the Egyptian authorities in June. He was initially charged with espionage, although the charges were later changed to incitement, insurrection and damaging a public building during the protests in Cairo against former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.
Israel and Mr Grapel’s family denied he was a spy. Mr Grapel’s mother claimed her son, a law student in the US, was working for Saint Andrew’s Refugee Services in Cairo.
Mr Grapel served in the Israeli paratroops and was wounded in the second Lebanon war in 2006.
The Israeli cabinet unanimously approved the deal on Tuesday and the Israeli high court rejected petitions against the swap.
Petitioners argued that Mr Grapel went to Egypt of his own free will and that Israel was now being asked to free Egyptian criminals for an American citizen imprisoned on dubious charges.
However, the judges stressed that none of the Egyptians being released were militants and that to reject the deal could harm Israel’s delicate bilateral ties with Egypt.
According to Arab media reports, Washington – which was instrumental in brokering the deal – used the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Egypt as an incentive, ensuring that Israel dropped its opposition to the sale.