Israeli officials believe kidnapped soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit is alive. Justice Minister Haim Ramon announced Wednesday that Shalit is alive, a day after a deadline set by his Palestinian captors passed. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has refused demands to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Shalit’s release, calling this extortion.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.