Gershon Baskin

The Shalit exchange

"A leader stands alone"

Benjamin Netanyahu was presenting himself as a solitary, heroic figure.

"I considered, and I decided."

Speaking on the release of Gilad Shalit, the Israeli prime minister implied the prisoner swap deal had been entirely of his own making, and that his tough stance had prevailed.

"Talks took place in Cairo ... we stood our ground. When the majority of our demands were accepted, I had to make a decision."

It made for a great narrative, and an effective presentation, but was it true? Did Hamas finally give in to Netanyahu's demands?

Gershon Baskin provided some interesting perspective when he spoke to us on Tuesday.