Deal Reached for Gilad Shalit's Release
I have been in a news-free zone for a couple of days -- specifically, Disneyland, the Happiest Place on Earth. I emerged to the incredible news that Gilad Shalit is expected back in Israel on Tuesday, which is about as startling a re-entry into the real world as can be imagined.
I am still in southern California with my family, deep in vacation mode, and unable just yet to carve out sufficient alone-time to read the reams of material being written about this and put together an analysis. Right now, I'm only able to give you my feelings, in order.
- I'm sincerely glad for the Shalit family, who have suffered a five-year-long agony. I completely understand the single-mindedness of their determination that this day would eventually come.
- I wonder what psychological and physical condition he's going to be in, and to what extent he will ever be able to recover from what he's been through.
- I wonder who Hamas/Hezbollah/Islamic Jihad/whoever is going to snatch next.
As relieved (and amazed) as I am that Gilad is actually coming home, I can't celebrate this without reservation, because the policy of rewarding Palestinians for kidnapping Israelis -- and flouting international law for years on end -- can't lead to anything but more of the same. The precedent for this was set long ago -- indeed, that was part of the Shalit family's argument in demanding that a massive ransom be paid in Gilad's case (and it is massive: as I understand it, something like 1,000 Palestinian prisoners are going to be released in exchange). We've just rewarded Hamas for performing one of the most terrifying acts of terrorism against us that they have in their arsenal. Even as we celebrate the unquestionably good news of Gilad's return, we must prepare ourselves (as if such a thing is even possible) for the next round.
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Sep '10
Re: Deal Reached for Gilad Shalit's Release
Many years ago, as a college student, I had the honor of meeting the late Adm. James Stockdale the highest ranking prisoner in the Hanoi Hilton. He told many stories of his education in philosophy, especially stoicism and how it helped get him through the ordeal. I hope Shalit was able to tap those reserves.
Jun '10
Re: Deal Reached for Gilad Shalit's Release
Although I rejoice for thr Shalit family, this is a sign of weakness from the ISRAELI government. I just do not know what else to say.
Edited on Oct 13, 2011 at 6:30pmFeb '11
Re: Deal Reached for Gilad Shalit's Release
I agree 100% with your analysis, Judith. The clear proof that Israel holds her people so dear that one of them, even a dead Israeli, is worth a thousand evil-doers, so long as the Israeli comes home. So I feel a deep sense of joy that Gilad Shalit will no longer be in the hands of the evil-doers. I cannot imagine what his life has been like for the past 6 years.
My children and I have been praying for him and the whole nation -- when I told them that it looked like he would be going home, they all began to cheer and rejoice. Allelujah. And Lord have mercy on all those the evil-doers will target as a result of this.
May '10
Re: Deal Reached for Gilad Shalit's Release
Where was the celebrated "international community" and the thirsting-for-justice "peace activists" while Gilad Shalit was held in violation of every standard of law and decency for five years? Nowhere. They could not have cared less about the fate of one kidnapped and tormented soul because to do so would discredit their ideology. Hypocrites!
I read that Shalit was exchanged for 1,027 jailed Arabs. Worth it at twice the price.
Nov '10
Re: Deal Reached for Gilad Shalit's Release
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Feb '11
Re: Deal Reached for Gilad Shalit's Release
Judith, happy Sukkot! [For the Hebraically challenged: Tabernacles.] If you're still in So Cal, I just got permission from my wife to invite you and your family for lunch in our sukka this Saturday. It would be a treat to meet you. We're having two other politically right-wing Jewish families. (I think that makes all of us in the city...) I assume that you have access to my Ricochet account so you can email me. Or, not.
I'm happy for the Shalits, but very worried about the major public victory this represents for Hamas.
Edited on Oct 13, 2011 at 8:12pmDec '10
Re: Deal Reached for Gilad Shalit's Release
I'm glad for Gilad, his family, and for Hamas not being able to use him as a human shield anymore.
However, Since 2004, 183 Israelis have been killed in terror attacks carried out by terrorists who were released from prison.
A total of 1,027 terrorists will be released. The odds are very high that many more innocent Israelis will die at the hands of these Islamonazis.
Among the Palestinian heroes is Nasser Batima, convicted of planning the 2002 Passover suicide bomb attack on the Park Hotel in Netanya, in which 30 civilians were murdered and 140 injured.
Also, as the Jerusalem Post reports, Hamas official Yehieh Sinwar, sentenced to five life sentences for his role in the kidnapping and murder of IDF soldier Nacshon Wachsman. Sinwar is the brother of one of the Hamas men who planned Gilad Schalit’s kidnapping, and a founding member of Hamas’s military structure in Gaza.
And many, many others.
The families of the victims of these monsters will not be celebrating.
This will not persuade a single person that Israel is good and loves life. Most outlets won't report the above, and the Israel-haters could care less.
Feb '11
Re: Deal Reached for Gilad Shalit's Release
These two points highlight the absurdity of the whole deal.
Hamas did not agree to an Israeli request to abolish plans for any future kidnappings as part of the prisoner-swap agreement signed between Israel and the Islamist group, a Palestinian source told the London-based Al Hayat on Friday.
Edited on Oct 14, 2011 at 4:03amAccording to the source, Israel ...agreed not to target any of the releasees once they have been freed.
Re: Deal Reached for Gilad Shalit's Release
I was not thrilled at all to learn that many of these prisoners will be released to Turkey.
Feb '11
Re: Deal Reached for Gilad Shalit's Release
The Turks don't seem to mind at all. Why should you?
They won't bother the locals much and what difference does it make to people in Turkey if they plan their next massacres on Turkish soil or anyplace else?
Edited on Oct 14, 2011 at 4:44amDec '10
Re: Deal Reached for Gilad Shalit's Release
Update: From Israel Hayom
Of the 1,027 prisoners to be released in the deal, 280 are murderers directly responsible for the deaths of 599 Israeli citizens • 450 set to be released next week, 550 to be released within two months • Netanyahu signs the agreement, seeing it as the lesser of two evils • Arab world delighted by the release, praises Hamas, Egypt.
Sigh...
Re: Deal Reached for Gilad Shalit's Release
Israel P.
The Turks don't seem to mind at all. Why should you?
They won't bother the locals much and what difference does it make to people in Turkey if they plan their next massacres on Turkish soil or anyplace else? · Oct 14 at 4:43am
Edited on Oct 14 at 04:44 am
Are you serious? Do you really think "the Turks" are all the same person? By that logic, the Israelis aren't worried about releasing these guys, so why should you be?
Feb '11
Re: Deal Reached for Gilad Shalit's Release
Claire Berlinski, Ed.
Israel P.
The Turks don't seem to mind at all. Why should you?
They won't bother the locals much and what difference does it make to people in Turkey if they plan their next massacres on Turkish soil or anyplace else? · Oct 14 at 4:43am
Edited on Oct 14 at 04:44 am
Are you serious? Do you really think "the Turks" are all the same person? By that logic, the Israelis aren't worried about releasing these guys, so why should you be? · Oct 14 at 5:58am
I was asking a question. What bothers you about it? Much has been written about what bothers many Israelis, so I didn't think I needed to explain that.
Edited on Oct 14, 2011 at 6:35amRe: Deal Reached for Gilad Shalit's Release
Israel P.I was asking a question. What bothers you about it? Much has been written about what bothers many Israelis, so I didn't think I needed to explain that. · Oct 14 at 6:33am
Edited on Oct 14 at 06:35 am
What bothers me is the idea of these guys running around Turkey. According to that article--and I've seen no further details and have no idea if it's true--others will be sent "to Europe." I wonder where.
I cannot imagine that anyone seriously wants them in their neighborhood.
Dec '10
Re: Deal Reached for Gilad Shalit's Release
Claire this is an example of insane internal Israeli politics. Almost half of these 1000 prisoners have committed the murder of Israeli civilians and IDF. In most societies they would have recieved the death penalty. Instead in a bizarre spasm of emotional obession Israel, to obtain the release of one ridiculously romanticized man, is freeing these monsters. I listened to my Rabbi sermonize that we should be proud that Israel could be so concerned for the fate of one man. I was so nauseated that I walked out in the middle of it. I will never see or hear my Rabbi the same way again. There is naivete and there is criminal naivete
Edited on Oct 15, 2011 at 10:18pm