David Meidan, who conducted the complex negotiations for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit recently, has been appointed the prime minister's coordinator on the issue of captive and missing Israeli soldiers, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement on Sunday. Meidan was made Netanyahu's special emissary for the return of Shalit in April, replacing Haggai Hadas, who had been in the position for two years. Meidan was instrumental in negotiating the deal that saw the release of Shalit in October in exchange for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners. Shalit had been abducted by Hamas in June 2006 during a cross-border raid, and was held captive in an unknown location in the Gaza Strip for more than five years before he was returned to Israel. Following Shalit's release, Defense Minister Ehud Barak thanked Meidan and his negotiating team, saying, "The way that you worked to release the soldier was a combination of professionalism and creativity. I thank you on behalf on the whole defense establishment." In his new position as coordinator on the issue of captive and missing Israeli soldiers, Meidan replaces Maj. Gen. (ret.) Ilan Biran, who has retired after 10 years in that position. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Biran for his efforts to bring captive and missing soldiers home. "Your activity showed your characteristic clarity of thought, incisive analytical ability and professional integrity, alongside your broad vision, humanity and deep understanding of the needs of people, families and the nation. I am certain that you will yet contribute, in the future, on the main issues regarding the security of the state of Israel," Netanyahu said in a statement released by the Prime Ministers Office. Biran thanked Netanyahu for his support and said he would be pleased to assist Meidan in the future.
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