Following is a statement from Cabinet Secretary Oved Yehezkel on behalf of the ministerial forum headed by Vice Premier Haim Ramon, which discussed examining a change in the criteria for releasing prisoners:

“The ministerial forum, today held its first meeting on the issue, and was updated by Ofer Dekel, the Prime Minister’s special coordinator on the issue of the abducted IDF soldiers (http://tinyurl.com/2atd8m).  The team will continue its work and hold an additional meeting later this week.  Beyond the foregoing, a blackout has been imposed on the discussion; no further details will be issued.”