Editor's Note: Alon Pinkas is an Israeli diplomat, who most recently served as Consul General of Israel in the United States.
By Alon Pinkas, Foreign Affairs
The prisoner exchange deal that Israel struck with Hamas last week does not make sense in terms of the country's foreign and defense policy goals. A country that has been a victim of terrorism for decades - and that maintains that nations should never negotiate with terrorist organizations - has done exactly that, exchanging 1,027 convicted terrorists (550 of whom were directly involved in multiple murders) for one soldier, Gilad Shalit.
Although the government initially considered military action to recover Shalit, who was abducted on the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip in 2006, it was never a feasible option. Gaza's dense and hostile population would have made any rescue mission messy and dangerous. Moreover, Israeli intelligence had never determined his precise whereabouts. Over time - and under immense public pressure - the Israeli government began to entertain the notion of a political deal, the basic contours of which were drawn as early as 2007. (Israel would free roughly 550 Hamas prisoners, Hamas would free Shalit, and then Israel would free another 450.) At the time - and when it resurfaced in 2009 - the administration of then-Prime Minster Ehud Olmert rejected the deal because the price was too high. Yet two and a half years later, both parties agreed to strikingly similar terms.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims that he accepted the deal now for two reasons. First, he argues that he inherited the basic outlines of the swap from his predecessor, Olmert, and could not change them, certainly not with public opinion so strongly in favor of bringing Shalit home. And according to Netanyahu, regional developments made the agreement a now-or-never decision. The regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, which hosts Hamas' political arm, is failing, and Hamas has been trying to find new accommodations; its options include post-Mubarak Egypt and Iran. Israel feared that Shalit could be transferred to Iran, which would have sealed his fate.
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But there are other reasons that Netanyahu acted now. In 2009 and 2010, when Israel also seriously considered striking a deal, several powerful figures in government opposed it. Meir Dagan, who was then the head of the Mossad, and Yuval Diskin, then the head of the General Security Service, argued that the terms of the deal patently rewarded terrorism and abductions, emboldened Hamas by giving it a clear advantage over the Mahmoud Abbas-led Palestinian Authority, and projected Israeli weakness. The Netanyahu government could not form a consensus to override their objections so the deal died. By this fall, however, both men had been replaced by officials more supportive of a swap - Dagan by Tamir Pardo and Diskin by Yoram Cohen. Their support provided the administration the legitimacy among the security organs that it coveted.
Moreover, although the exchange deal runs contrary to Israel's stated counterterrorism policies, it should not have been surprising. At its roots, it was the product of a uniquely Israeli clash of two irreconcilable sets of values.
The first is the belief in military camaraderie and solidarity, and particularly the Israel Defense Forces tenet of "no soldier left behind." This is complemented by the ancient Jewish tradition of the redemption of prisoners, which has led to a general feeling that saving one live soldier is worth any price. This is typically Israeli; the country as a mother, making decisions based on parental instinct rather than cold cost-benefit calculations. This is the sentiment behind years of deliberations and indirect negotiations and a massive public campaign to bring Shalit home, no matter the cost.
The second set of values central to Israel's identity have to do with political realism, hardened by a lifetime of experience in the Middle East. These are the values that inform Israel's stated (but rarely followed) policy of not negotiating with terrorists. A country in Israel's geopolitical position must at all times exude confidence and strength. Any appearance of vacillation or equivocation could be interpreted as strategic impotence.
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For years, the first value won out. In 1983, the Yitzhak Shamir government freed 66 terrorists and 4,500 detainees captured during the 1982 war in Lebanon in return for six soldiers. In 1985, as part of the Gibril deal, the Shimon Peres government released 1,150 prisoners in exchange for eight Israeli soldiers. The 2004 Tannenbaum deal saw the Ariel Sharon government release 436 detainees in exchange for one Israeli reserve officer who was kidnapped by Hezbollah after being lured into a business deal. And in 2008, Israel exchanged scores of Lebanese and Palestinian detainees and prisoners for the bodies of two Israeli soldiers, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, who were captured during a 2006 Hezbollah ambush on the Israeli-Lebanon border and who died shortly thereafter.
Then the pendulum swung in the other direction. The two most recent Israeli governments - those of Ehud Olmert and initially Netanyahu - favored the second value. They insisted on conducting no negotiations with terrorist organizations whose ostensible policy is the destruction of Israel. But Netanyahu gradually succumbed to the public and media campaign to conclude a deal with Hamas. He also came to understand that rescuing Shalit through a military operation was impossible. This was not so much a shift of policy, which remained rhetorically tough, but a recognition of the importance of Israel's first set of values.
In comparison to previous prisoner exchanges, the 1,027 prisoners freed for Shalit is asymmetrical but not unusually unbalanced. Even so, Netanyahu would have been wise to remember Dagan and Diskin's original objections. With no renewed peace process in sight, Israel has effectively sent the Palestinians a message that diplomacy and the political processes the Palestinian Authority advocates are futile but that terrorism and kidnapping pay. Now, as Abbas continues to busy himself with diplomatic maneuvers at the UN (which have so far yielded no tangible achievements), Hamas will be able to consolidate its power base in Gaza and its reputation in the West Bank - this at a time when Iran's isolation and Syria's fragility should have weakened the group.
For their part, Israelis generally recognize the contradiction in their values; "I'm happy that Shalit is coming back, but I oppose the deal" is a constant and understandable refrain. And to be sure, Israel can withstand the release of the prisoners and terrorists it frees today. But this deal might be a bridge too far. The country has shattered whatever pretense it had to a coherent counterterrorism policy and whatever ability it had to deter terrorism. In other words, a bit of cognitive dissonance is fine for Israeli individuals, but not for a government. For now, the Netanyahu administration has chosen to be happy that Shalit is coming home, but it may come to regret that it was not more wary of the deal that brought him back.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of Alon Pinkas.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Israel has violated its NO DEALs with terrorists . Look for more terrorist attacks NEVER DEAL with terrorists EVER
No, see it as a noble act! The Israelis should be admired for sticking to their "Defense Forces tenet of "no soldier left behind."
I agree, it's the most noble act since...I don't know when. But I suppose a star of David is not as fashionable as a palestinian scarf, therfore the lack of applaud's and encouragemnet for this great act from a great state.
It's all part of the plan: as soon as ONE former prisoner is caught doing ANYTHING, Israel will then claim the green light to escalate actions. almost anything is used as an excuse to build more housing units. Israel is winning in the status quo, and every attack only strengthens Likud and the other extreme right wing. Yup, there is no downside for Bibi, just a certain green light to keep on building in the name of 'defense'.
It's amazing with all the killings going around the world, the UN are fixated about Israel building a few houses.
i really need to ask Sally to define the word few!!!!!
and also state on which land this FEW is build on!!!
and the report first sentence is talking about a country that is victim for decades.. are you kidding me!!!!!
wake uppp
No Sally, the world is affixed with Israel booting Palestinians off their legally owned land without compensation, so that Israel can build a few more houses.
Israel was lucky that Palestine, the victim of the Zionist terrorist for over 60 years, decided to deal with "it" Israel the world's number 1 terrorist.
u so stupid bruce, u dont know who u deal with.look at the world what become of it.everyone suffer when the muslem destroyed every contry in the world
But tell me this- what is palestine? Who are the palastiniens? We know to tell about the history of the Jewish nation, we know the definition of Israel, where did the palastinien nation came from? Since when? Check history before you judge. Israel has done everything in right. Every settlment was conqured in a war that was FORCED on it. They're sorry about the results? Tehir problem. Don't start what you can't finish. But don't ask back what you lost with your fault only. The united nations splitted the land so that Israel would have been a lot smaller. Jews accepted, arabs started a war. Jews won the war, although was attacked by ALL surrounding arab countries.
Israel never took anything for no reasonable explanation. Israel really just wants peace.
one brain washed, babarian soldier for 1000+ prisioners? These soldiers are taught only one thing, they cannot fight anywhere else in the world other than in Israel since they only know to close their eyes and open fire at any Palestinian. Their brains work that way. what their commanders teach the soldier is kill any Palestinian who is holding a stone in his hand since it can kill hundreds of Isralis, kill many palestinians as you can for even one motar since it can destroy the entire Israel. Programmed.....
Dear Bruce,
please consider the following: 70 years ago, 2 little boys (Israel & Palestine) played with a box of toys (Israel/Palestine), they were always fighting for the toys untill mommy (the UN) decided to seperate them by giiving toys to both boys. the Israeli Boy was ok with it and declared to the world that these are his toys (decleration of inpendence – 1948) the Palestinian boy however, was not happy with mommy's decision and brought his big brothers (Egypt, Jordan, Syria) to attack the Israeli boy (1948 independance war). somehow the small lonely Israeli boy managed to defeat the Palestinian boy and his brothers. but they wouldnt stop, till six days in 1967, when the Israeli boy decided that he had enough with these attacks from the palestinian boy and took his toys away from him along with some of his older brothers toys (Sinai with Egypt for example). since than the Palestinian boy is crying "they took my toys (land)". and the way he deals with it, is by suicide bombings of inocent women and children on buses, streets, wherever. i was a soldier in the Israeli Army and i was shot at from an ambulance after those "freedom fighters" were hiding behind a pregnant woman. I have Arabic friends. none of them want to be under palestinian regime. nor under any Arab country. in all the area between Morroco and Pakistan Human rights are non existent, not to mention women's rights who are not allowed to drive in some of these countries. all these Arab countries have a population 300 times than Israel, yet Israel produces much more scientific papers and medicine to humanity. with that little respect to human life, it should come as no surprise that one Israeli boy is worth 1027 Palestinians "Freedom fighters" (even if some of them slaughtered babies in their sleep). we Israeli's are our brothers keepers and we brought our boy back home with a painful compromise that screams: "No one gets left behind". by the way, on 9/11. Palestinians rejoiced when Israeli's greived.
Really, #1 terrorist – You may want to educate yourself a little bit ...
Everyone should have a look at: http://www.ifamericansonlyknew.org mondoweiss.com endtheoccupation.org jewishvoiceforpeace.org for starters.....thank you
You are right...Hamas should have never negotiated with the Terrorist regime of Israel. But Israel is the REAL LOSER in the swap.
HAQ, the fact that you have an internet connection doesnt mean you are free yet..... one day you son will tell you he is gay or your wife will want to be an independant woman... Israel is the only place that would welcome true freedom, we do not kill those that are different.
A life saved is never a loss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the killers of the 300+ gaza children AKA the idf, walk around in freedom and are regarded as heroes in their society.
and the Hamas is taking the israeli children to the zoo...
you are so dumb damn that you saying terrible things like that without knowning a thing..
One and one makes Two ....Hundred ...Thousand........ Million....etc. To a sovereign country every citizen is worth and should be worth as the way Israel has done. Israel has done the right. I think is should look "Introspectively". The root behind the problem should be uprooted first. By nature human being as" peace lover". So give the peach a chance to grow.
The real question is whats more important: punishing 1000 bad people or saving 1 good person? Obviously the who the bad person is changes depending on the side of the wall you are on. But I think its a fundamental question that needs to be asked.
I am American, not Israeli, and I am not Jewish. But looking at this trade from the outside, it seems extraordinarily unwise for the Israelis. Trading one of something for one thousand of the same somethings is never wise - even when the somethings are human beings.
You have only one mistake in your claim.
You said "Trading one of something for one thousand of the same somethings... "
We traded on Israeli soldier with thousand of lowest brainwashed murderers. an Israeli will find it very difficult to explain to a non Israeli, but our soldiers are the states children. We never leave them behind. Never.
Terrorists – we can fight them. we are not affraid.
wow, angry jewish.
Sick murder jew
Think yourself in same the situation or your brother, son , or your friend. You must get the answer.
Excellent acritle. Very handy, too. Since I'm on the road traveling, I took the liberty of linking to your post.
I quess only a combat soldier can understand this.
When you draft to any army, there is one unbearable rule. And it's pretty simple.
NO SOLDIER LEFT BEHIND. Dead or alive.
That's the one most important rule the gives a combat soldier a unbelievable amount of confidence in what he/she is doing.
True, you came to defense your country, but the country that sends to battle must take responsibility and bring you back.
Human life is so precious. And every one of us is so important.
First of all, he looks under age.Perhaps he was recruited by the Israeli government at age ten. But while there's a whole lot of gripe from both sides over the swap, I think its a good move on the part of Israel because if you're going to restart the peace process and take it this time all the way to the finish line, then you have to finally show trust for Hamas. And if Israel can trust Hamas not to re-arm these prisoners, then the long awaited peace must be on its way. Now, my message for Hamas and the Israeli government would be to call an emergency summit and push this peace deal all the way to the finish line. The whole world is counting on you!
you are underage, in Israel only from 18 you are allowed to join the army of "first in technology" in the world.
Netanyahu like most politicians does anything to stay in power.
This author and those who think like him are some of the reasons why the middle east will never heal. This is a one-sided story for sure. No doubt that Palestinians can list a few of their own heartbreaks too. Netanyahu is a right-winger and have been known to surround himself with other right-wingers for years. But I think the events of the recent past in the area of the world have given him a few sleepless nights, enough to come around from his dogmatic position of "our way or no way". If Israel choses to have it all or nothing, it will eventually lose it all. The handwriting is on the wall.
The real reasons for the prisoner swap are much more practical: the Israelis are running out of money. Why feed, house and cloth a thousand political prisoners when they can't even subsidize rents for their own citizens. Israel will continue to run into problems until it learns how to behave correctly– within the contructs of the 1967 borders and UN law. Until now, the Israelis have acted like spoiled children.
they (Israel) raid Gaza every night and capture and arrest hundreds of Palestinian every month, they will replace those freed prisoners withing two month, the Palestinians paid very heavy price for this one person, 1400 Palestinian including women and children was killed in search for this guy, and the weapon used contained white phosphorus, everyday Israel are taking more land for the Palestinian, the worse humanitarian crises is opening right in front of our eyes, every night there home is raided. they are locked in a cage light animals. they can't go out or come in without Israel's permission. Israel right wing party is way worse than the one in the USA but the lift wing of the USA support the right wing of Israel. that is very weird. i dont think Palestinian can get there freedom by relying on THE USA. the USA interest is far way biger than democracy or freedom, is even bigger than the interest of the citizen of USA
Israel do not raid Gaza, actually Israel had left the Gaza strip in Sep. 2005. Israel are not arresting for no cause, between those terrorists who got trade you can find a woman who lured a 16 years-old kid through the internet and murdered him, a guy who murdered 15-year-old Israeli schoolgirl, a man who participated in the bombing of Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem and other terrorists with a lot of blood on their hands. Israel is handling a day by day routine of finding kids who penetrate the border, bombs under pregnant women and etc. all under Hamas mission and Hamas extortion methods.
Israel operated Cast Led not because of Gilad Shalit, but because of 8 years of rockets launching on Israeli cities. But yes, We will go to war for one soldier, and we will pay a huge price for one of our sons, that is how much one soul means for us.
In Cast-led, Israel sent their troops, Hamas sent their women and children to only use them as human shield for their coward leaders, Hamas shot rockets from schools and Unrwa surfaces to inflict Israel to shoot at it. Gaza is not under a humanitarian crisis, except for Hamas throwing people out of roofs, and killing brides cause of playing music on her wedding day, the Gaza strip is getting it's electricity, food and even taxing system needs, from Israel and Egypt. The west bank however, is growing and developing because the Hamas is weak in that area, and the citizens are trying to live their lives peacefully.
The only one who was locked like an animal is Gilad, who couldn't see daylight, couldn't see the red cross, got malnutrition and even was forbidden for his glasses.
This is the most inaccurate analysis i have ever heard in regards to the Shalit trade.
You obviously dont know the region and its mentality. Furthermore you do not know Israel economy.
interesting you should say that when Israel is the only country in the world that has not been affected by the economic meltdown – even when roughly 40% of her budget has had to go on defence . The vitriol that spews on this sight is sickening – made worse by the ignorance from whence it stems. WELCOME HOME DEAR GILAD – YOU ARE ISRAELS HERO!
I think it is a very bad deal and I really don't understand it at all. I read the article and still do not understand the rationale in trading 1000 people for one person particularly as it releases many who have committed murder and probably would not hesitate to do it again.
Carol, if you understand why Gilad's parents could accept this deal, then you understand why the country could accept it. Our soldiers are the nation's sons.
First of all, no one is born evil and these Palestinian prisoners or freedom fighters simply got caught up in an unfortunate and never ending civil war with Israel for their freedom, a conflict that has lasted way too long. Furthermore, these Palestinian prisoners are not animals but rather human beings and while Israel is willing to release these prisoners, just keep in mind that the more dangerous assailants or those who were actually involved in the killings of Israeli civilians are not being released here. These are more or less the pettier offenders or the likes of the rock throwers who have often been a nuisance for the Israeli military. But of course they were detained over concerns for the safety of Israeli settlers.
Let's face it, action speaks louder than words and for more than a generation, both sides have been exchanging not peaceful words but rather heated words blaming the other side for undermining the peace process. But what prime minister Netenyahu did here can be categorize as real action that can finally take this peace process to the finish line. And the critics can say whatever they want about the Palestinine people but in God's eyes these people are human beings just like the rest of us, only they have been caught up for too long in an unfortunate conflict that seemed never ending to say the least. And if for one day this exchane of peoples can serve to change each sides negative perception of the other, then maybe this is a start in the right direction because peace is not attainable unless there is trust.
****** First of all, no one is born evil and these Palestinian prisoners or freedom fighters simply got caught up in an unfortunate and never ending civil war with Israel for their freedom,
--------------------------------------------------------
Freedom fighters do not blow up busses killing innocent men, woman, and children.
You also need to look up "civil war"
this is NOT a civil war
this is the destruction of the jewish nation.
You have sided with terrorists !!!!!
The Israelis have killed more civilians in Gaza and the West Bank over the years than the Palestinians have in Israel. But let's face it: there won't ever be peace in the Middle East. Civilization began in the Middle East and it's probably going to end there.
Well as most Americans see the IRA as freedom fighters, they used to blow up innocent women and children by planting bombs in city centres. Do you agree that, that makes the IRA terrorists?
The Israeli nation was born based on terrorism. Go read your history book before you make foolish statements. Read about Deir Yassin and other massacres like the King David hotel blast....Get educated first before you argue. This nation stole land that was not theirs.
I am sorry but you are very wrong about who is being released. Aljazeera has a full list, http://aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/10/2011101675220436780.html
and more than half of them have life sentences – you don't get a life sentence for a petty crime, but rather for a crime in which a person died. Looking at the worst (LS is life sentences) – 5 prisoners received 8 LS; 4 prisoners received 9 LS, 2 had 16 LS, 1 had 17 LS, 1 had 18 LS, 1 had 19 LS, I had 29 -yes 29 LS, and the worst prisoner had 36 LS. Every LS is a life lost – these 16 people caused the deaths of 227 Israelis. These are mass murderers of the worst sort. Do not apologize for these gutless terrorists.
Where did he apologize? Simply stating that both sides commit atrocities, which they do, is not apologizing for Hamas. Why is it so hard for people to accept that both sides are wrong, Israel has no immunity for the killing of civilians, neither does Hamas.
Joe you obviously have no clue who those 'human beings' are. No human being will blow up nearly an entire family that includes children at a restaurant, no 'human being' will perform a lynch on defenseless people and show their blood on their hands proudly, no 'human being' will blow up buses and kill innocent people. No 'human being' will take hostage another person and hardly feed him and treat him like a monster. Did you know they send grenade to Israeli houses and a few were killed near their home. Did you know that terrorists in Israeli prisons get full nutrition that includes all the vitamins and if they don't get it they have the right to complain? Did you know that the Israelis sponsor terrorist education in jail. The list goes on and on. People time to wake up and realise who Israel has to deal with. Israel change your policy and don't do deals with terrorists!!
here are just a few names of released terrorists in this deal:
Ammana Muna – contacted a 15 years old boy, Ofir Rachum, through internet chat, got him to meet her, and murdered him.
Yihya Sinuar and Jihad Amur- kidnapped and murdered Nachshon Vaxman, an Israeli soldier.
Muhamad Sharatha – kidnapped and murdered Ilan Sadon and Avi Saportas.
Muhamad Atun – kidnapped and murdered Nissim Toledano and israeli soldier.
Theres plenty more. and theres victim's families who watch theire relatives murderers go free. to murder the next israeli for no reason.
Not animals?
This is a ridiculous deal... a 1000 for 1 trade? It does nothing but encourage Hamas and others to continue abducting Israelis... you can't possibly stop them from getting to a single person if they want to, and this type of thing only ensures that there will be more abductions in the future, when they are getting rewarded so handsomely for handing over a single, relatively unimportant soldier. There is nothing wrong with making a deal, but NOT 1000 for 1. Maybe 10 for 1 or even 50 for 1 is within the realm of reason (although still high)... but this level of exchange is absolutely absurd and makes no sense whatsoever. It is highly counter-productive to whatever the Israelis are trying to achieve.
In Israel we cherish life with the saying: "Save a life, save a whole world".
The terrorist that were released will be followed by Mossad agents and if they will go back to terror they will be dead before they even think about it.
I'm an American and very proud of it. Not a Jew or Muslim but as Christian I love all people and wish for peace. The way I see it is Israel agreed to this trade because deep down they know not all of these prisoners are terrorists. That term is used a little to loosely I think. I really doubt all of these people were firing rockets at Israel, b.t.w. as aweful as Israel has treated the Palestinians I think it is horrible for the Palestinians to fire rockets at Israel. I do not think they should have released the true 'terrorists', I don't believe a 14 year kid throwing a rock at an Israelis tank should be considered a terrorist. The major problem is the Israelis have the mentality of an eye for an eye or a hundred lives for an eye. If both sides understood peace and forgiveness they could both start over and live in peace and jointly condemn terror and arrest terrorists and give them a fair trial. If they are found guilty they should pay the price, if not they should be released.
Abe, please, we are not talking about kids here but mass murderers – those who planned and carried out bombings in restaurants, on buses, & on streets. The US lost over 3,000 people on 9-11. If you compare populations Israel with around 7 million and the US with 240 million, then per capita Israel has had dozens of 9-11s, and some of those who planned those attacks were just released. Please do not diminish the lives lost.
Abe most of these terrorist are with blood in thier hands, they killed over hundreds of Israeli's.
On the plus side the Palestinians have tacitly admitted that Israelis are 1000 times better.
True, but that makes no sense to these radicals and the STUPID world who cries for these terrorists! Check my resp. below.
Is terrorists is the phrase used for someone fights for his freedom of his land and people? Israel itself knows that they are not terrorists and never been terrorists until after 911 where Israel exploit it in their favor. It is matter of relativity and the person who post this should not be biased to any side. Because Palestine also called Israeli who fires missiles from air terrorists or because Israel assassinates Palatines abroad in cold blood for being activists trying to defend their lands.
So, be reasonable not to write this phrase, terrorists. Many people around the word know the truth and if you succeeded to hide it for a short period of time , you can't hide it forever
Israel should change her strategies. For example, if they opened their hospitals once for one person needs health care from one country in Arab word for treatment, hundreds of Arabs and many other non-Arabs will cheer them and may change their minds of these occupying people ; Israelis
Said Al – like who? Waffa Samir Ibrahim Bas?
The woman was scheduled to arrive at Soroka hospital in the Southern town of Be’er Sheva for some tests, and was hoping to take advantage of the medical appointment to carry out a suicide attack.
During her interrogation, the would-be bomber said she was sent by the Fatah’s al-Aqsa Brigades. The group sought to utilize the humanitarian permits issued to the woman and instructed her to carry out the attack at the hospital, she said.
HOW SIMPLE!!!..
To get the remaining Palestinian prisoners (many of whom are KILLERS of innocent Jewish children) in Israeli prisons released, the Palestinians have to ONLY KIDNAPP another 5 or 10 innocent Israelis!!!!
so you seem to be saying that it's ok that thousands upon thousands of Palestinians are locked up, right?
***** Hamdy
so you seem to be saying that it's ok that thousands upon thousands of Palestinians are locked up, right?
---------------------------------------------------
YUP.......you kill somebody and you go to jail.
it's really simple. The Israelis have thousands of Palestinian people prisoner such that the ratio of prisoners is 1000 : 1. 50,000 prisoners means the whole of Israelis will be returned and a whole towns worth of Palestinians released.
you forgot one thing in the eqution, After gilad was kidnapped about 5 years ago, Israel went to war with lebanon and we almost destroyed all there country, and we killed thousands of hizbulla terrorist..
This deal makes absolutely no sense!
All talk of how much Israel values a life falls on deaf ears knowing fully well Palestinians are ready to give up their lives/their children’s lives to kill even a Jewish owned mouse!
The Israeli action only emboldens the HOSTILE WORLD COMMUNITY to charge the MUCH MALIGNED ISRAELIS that they have far more innocent Palestinians rotting in their prisons,& emboldens the Palestinians to continue with their kidnapping of Israeli soldiers.
ISRAEL & INDIA are two countries that are paying a VERY HEAVY PENALTY for letting large #s of UNADAPTABLE MUSLIMS live in their countries even though both countries were divided on RELIGIOUS GROUNDS.
Israel MUST swap their Muslim population with the Jewish settlements in any future final deal, if it has to survive as a Jewish nation, & prevent another holocaust engineered by the Muslims in teh future, just the way the German holocaust was engineered by the GRAND MUFTI OF JERUSALEM and his BOSNIAN MUSLIM ARMY!
That is not true and completely inaccurate. Islam protect any one live in its rule. True Islam do not say to kill indecent people. In Islam you do not fight until someone fights you or take your land by force. Do not twist the truth by this made in Israel Video
Yes
This is why Islam is considered as one pf the modest rational and peace forwarding religous in the world.
Come on!!! don't give us this c r a p. Not all muslims are terrorists but all terrorists are muslims. Who took down the twins?
Budahists?? You have 650 times land than Israel. go lecture in Iran or Iraq about the tollerance of Islam.
The Conflicting Values of U.S. Continued $6 BILLION/YEAR Support for Israel is what I'd like to read.
One of the things that make global empires successful is an astute and fluid foreign policy. Our foreign policy has been held hostage by the Jewish lobby, as we continue to pour money and influence on behalf of Israel when the relationship has served no practical purpose to the U.S since the end of the Cold War. Israel continues throwing its weight around the region (and the world), acting like a rogue state, bombing its neighbors nilly-willy, gunning down peace activists and journalists, and exarcebating ancient blood feuds on the backs of the U.S. military and taxpayers.
Make no mistake, there are no GOOD GUYS in this conflict...Jews are just as vile as the Arabs when it comes to their hatred and acts of violence...it's just than one side uses U.S. fighter jets and tanks...and the other one hurls rocks and uses suicide bombers.
I have NO PROBLEM with Israel tough stance in the region...I applaud them for it because Arabs, unfortunately, are still not evolved enough politically and socially to be reckoned with through anything other than force. I just don't want the U.S. military and soldiers being used as a proxy to take care of Israel's regional problems. (Iraq, Iran...etc.)
Israel acts likes a state who believes that its citizens should be able tot live in safety. It does not act like a rogue state, bomb its neighbors nilly-willy, gun down peace activists and journalists, or exarcebate ancient blood feuds.
I'm with you...and more power to them if they don't want to compromise or give a @#$@#$% about the rights of Palestinians. Unfortunately, acting like a regional hegemon comes with certain prerequisites...you have to be able to feed yourself. The only reason they've been able to impose their will on the Palestinians is because of the U.S. support. Threaten to take that away, and we'd have a peace deal very quickly...Jews are very pragmatic by nature. As it is, the Israelis have no incentive to compromise or treat the other side humanely. Everyone keeps talking about "giving in to terror" if the Palestinians are given a state of their own...but for some reason no one ever tried it! I mean, if Jews are serious about wanting peace, why not allow the Palestinians to get their own state...I mean...if it turns out to be a threat...just do what they did in Lebanon...at least that way they can say they tried.
First of all you "real Politik". You do not even know how to read and find the amount is paid to Israel. It is not 6 bil, but only a little above the 3bil. Also, we pay about 3 bil to Egypt who is never even saying that he is our friend!
The correct number is $3 billion. But here's a sobering thought.
For the year 2011 ONLY. In U.S. foreign assistance $20.1 billion goes to Muslim nations– where a majority practice Islam.
$11.6 billion to Arab countries. i.e. folks that collectively hate the West, but are on their own effectively "under-performers", (not overly productive) despite large populations.
That's ON TOP of oil profits.
We should stop funding them all.
Israel economy is part of the top 30 and part of the OECD, Israel donsn't need the extra cash like the USA gives to Egypt or Jordan, however to keep the only oasis hi-tech nation in the middle east protected the USA and Israel do contribute to Israel army to protect itself from over 22 muslim nations arround itself, which attacked Israel in 6 wars in 60 years but Israel always won, because we can't afford to loose one war. Thank you USA for shining the light of domocracy and love!
Because of the trade that occurred it shows how Israel trusts in the Lord. Israel had tried to explain to the world what was going to happen now they shall see. They cannot blame Israel if the Hamas terrorizes the rest of the world. It is out of the PM hands.
Yeah, the Jews are God's chosen people and nothing bad has ever happened to them since He picked them as his bffs.
All of these comments are ridiculous, everyone is looking at this trade like a dirt merchant. The reality is that THOUSANDS of Palestinians are being held captive in Israeli jails! Isn't this enough to realize that the ratio of captured Palestinians to Israelis is high! Even thinking that thousands are held in jail is monstrous,. I wonder how many more thousands are left. Maybe 50,000?–I suppose that'll return all of the Israelis and some of the Palestinians.
Are they held on false grounds? If so which ones? All of them? Not a single prisoner held in Israel committed an action that would be considered a crime in Palestine? Is it simply because they are Palestinian that you are upset or is it because they are held for heinous crimes they did not commit? Or are the accusations not actually heinous crimes, but rather actions that you do support. Please provide some more clarity on this.
One Isreaeli is worth more than a thousand Palestinians.
Israel, time to tighten security, the devils are on the streets again.
Maybe, with the ice caps melting and the sea's rising
Gaza (being at sea level) will be under water.
Then these people can go back to thier true country, Jordan.
I wonder if any of the Palestinians feel that this trade demeans them? I mean, a single Israeli is worth more to Israel than a thousand Palestinians?
Israel will use similar calculations to respond "proportionally" to Palestinian violence...
Time now to take the gloves off if hamas does ANY provoking...there are no longer ANY israelis in gaza...SO, if hamas does a thing, israel should HAMMER THEM and deal them a vicious blow.
its time to teach them a painful lesson and let the chattering class howl their displeasure...WHO CARES.
Ah, yes indeed, BEAR! The mark of civilization is that the streets of the enemy run with blood, as we bask in the lamentations of their women.
Oh wait, that was the joy of Conan the Barbarian...
Prisons are outdated when one hostage can free a thousand inmates. Punishment must still be carried out, amputation is used under Sharia Law, it helps stop crime and would eliminate jails in Israel.
The deal was struck because Egypt is in a bind over the guy they accused of being a spy. They're sticking to that ridiculous story and even making up new charges. However even THEY are aware most people believe that story is BS. So they feel the best way to win back points from the West and their much needed tourism dosh, while saving face, is by releasing him as part of a "deal" they so cleverly arranged with Hamas, rather than admitting the boy behind bars is really a hostage.
It's dumb because Americans already know they can be taken as hostages at the whim of whomever is in charge at nay given moment. All they have to do is accuse them of spying.
The other thing is they shoot Sudanese refugees who try to leave Egypt. The racism is intolerable there. Well I guess they hide it if you are a black person with a useful position and an anti West agenda. They even run drills on African Americans trying to convince them how much the Middle East loves them. Often accompanied with an attempt to convert them. You never hear dark Africans say that though.
And they wonder why South Sudan rather deal with Western nations than Middle Eastern ones. Even challenging their right for autonomy to begin with! And of course the Western media has been protecting the ME underplaying their unabashed cruelty toward blacks for forever. Protecting our own interest no doubt.
And Shalit? That was just about saving face and tourism or Egypt.
terrorists negotiating with terrorists. that's what it really is.
Yeah, let them loose, coz, one day Israel will rule and all of you people will bow to your knees, just remember what that Black Book say about all of these people...Israel will again rule the world...that's right 1=1000+God Lives!!!!
i hate muslims
You say tomato I say tomatoe.
"Terrorists" to the eye of the beholder. I find it strange that one can write off an entire people that are currently OCCUPIED as terrorists. Disenchanting, to say the least.
And once again the story of David and Goliath comes to mind. Whom is Goliath in this conflict?
What are you talking about??
Go and read some history, learn Geography, open the map and see who has more land (a hint: it's 650 times more land).
Israel is 20,000 square KM. do you think an area smaller 10 times than Manhattan can be divided in 2? Do you think that brainwashed fanatic islamists will rest after having half of Israel? Have you ever taken the time to listen to their grand plan? They say it loud and clear – they will not rest until they throw all Israeli's to the sea. You CANNOT write such a post with no understanding what so ever of the roots of the conflict.
Hamas tasted the sweet of concession. It will be 5,000 prisoners on the next swap. I am in favor of peace through compromise, but this was a loopsided deal. It was more like an extortion than a deal.
Very interesting article.
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It's bnoeyd my intellectual ability to understand how the mind of someone like Mr. Rae actually works. I mean this man was a Rhodes Scholar!
WHAT AN UGLY LOOKING DORK ....THIS ISRAELI SOLDIER....TO BE WASTING OUR TIME WITH.
Hey AC – you would probably look like that too after 5 years of incarceration with no contact wtih the outside world and little if any sunshine! Maybe you should try it?
TELL ME.....WHO WOULD SAY ISRAELIs ARE GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE WHEN YOU SEE SUCH A DORKY LOOKING NERD OF A SOLDIER EH?
I, for one, am sick of hearing about news of Israel. The Jews represent a small minority in America, yet alls we seem to hear about is what is going on in Israel. Enough already! Why do we never hear news from Italy, Ireland, Africa, Mexico, Scotland, Spain, Canada? Are other ethnic groups in America not worthy of covering? This just reinforces the stereotype that Jews control the media. We need a more democratic press in America, one that covers all ethnic groups, and all classes and races.
Frank,
Do you honestly think that Israelis and Jews want all this news coverage? Most of the press coverage is anti-Israel so why on earth would the Jews want this? You are spot on – there should be far move coverage of everything else. Tens of thousands of Mexicans have been murdered in the ongoing drug wars – why isnt this top new event?
Trust me – its not the media controlling Jews (which they dont anyway) that are pushing the constant coverage!
jews own and control Fox, CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS and all the local newspapers? wow! I didnt realize this . thanks for the info!
I must me missing something here. Certain Palestinians commit serious crimes, they are tried in a court of law, found guilty and jailed. An Israeli is kidnapped by members of a terrorist organisation, denied every human right under the sun for 5 years, and is finally released in return for 1,000 convicted criminals having their sentences commuted.
And Palestinians rejoice that their people are finally freed. From what? Being jailed for horrendous crimes?
I would strongly suggest that Hamas not try another stunt like this one (kidnapping an Israeli as a bargaining chip in order to have the sentences of its criminals reduced). Because I would have no problem with Israel launching the mother of all attacks on Gaza and not stopping until the people of Gaza beg Hamas to return the Israeli. And you all know that not only can Israel do this, but it will, if pushed.
Many Israels comitted many serious crimes and never and they did not put in a court of law. This is war between two nations and they have to resolve the issues by themself.
Strange comment. The country's prisons are full of Israelis who have been found guilty of all kinds of crimes in various courts of justice.
"The country's prisons are full of Israelis who have been found guilty of all kinds of crimes in various courts of justice" Yes, but only for crimes against Jews. As you have stated very clearly here, Palestinians are only animals, and it is not a crime to kill animals. That's why it was OK to use US-made 155mm white phosphorous artillery shells against Palestinian schools and hospitals during Cast Lead. They were only barbecuing animals.
and if your grandmother had wheels she would have been a trolley car. unsubstantiated statements are simply fantasy
My brother was released in the deal, and believe me i was happy because of that and also happy because shalit went home, I dont call my Brother a terrorist, All international Laws allow Occupied nations to defend thier land so whats wrong. Im not against Israel, but Israel Want to take everything, If you wanna live free you also should give freedom to others. Israel learned from the SS how to humiliate people. and they are treating the prisoners like that.
dear Lhader,
I don't know what your brother has done, but although it is legitimate to fight for freedom, it is NEVER NEVER NEVER right to murder innocent children and women. the main different between the IDF and the Hammas/ any terror organisation is that israeli army stands in front of it's citizens to defend them, while the Hamas hides cowardly BEHIND it's citizens to shoot and fire missiles from inside schools and homes...
which life would you like your children to live according to?
for the love of life and the value of human being or for the love of death and value of murder ?
Most israelis dont object a palestinian state too. i think someone is telling you wrong facts. most israelis dont want to control palestinian territories out of colonialism or nazi-styled expansion over other nations. the settelments are not a concencus in israel, and I can totally see most of them (unfortunatly not all of them) being moved in a peace agreement.
The reason why israelis want israeli presence in palestinian territories, is because we really feel like without the IDF standing there, 20 km of Tel-Aviv, israel will be slaughtered in bombs like from gaza since it moved out of there.
this is a logical way of thinking, based on the moving-out-of-gaza failure (mombing on israel only got more frequent), and on the thought that if your biggest enemy is standing on a mountain 15 km out of your city, wouldnt you want your army to stand there??
can you understand this way of thinking?
Why the prisoner swap will harm Israel? are you kidding? Israel can get another 1,000 prisoners by tomorrow.
And Hamas can get a replacement Shalit in about 5 minutes. That is what this deal will bring.
What a one side article written by a Zionist diplomate
Israel is a nation with a heart and soul, we do not leave our prisoners behind like other countries do.
about the terrorirst, they they only think they are free, they are being watched and every move by the mossad.
Attention to Hamas and Hesbollah...
The weakness of the beast has been detected, act imediately...
This is no humanitariam act of greatness of Israel, it is just SATANyahu's thirst to stay in POWER!!
What Alon Pinkus does not explain is the reason for the view that the release of the terrorists is not entirely contradictory to counter-terrorism efforts. The details are understandably far from being available for public knowledge but involve the increased ability and confidence that the security agencies has in preventing and fighting terrorism coming out of the West Bank, Gaza and surrounding territories. There is no shortage of terrorists who are involved in planning and carrying out attacks on Israelis and their persistent efforts have fortunately been largely unsuccessful. Returning some of the former prisoners into the territories does not change the terrorist statistics significantly and those released will not be able to disappear off the radar. Nevertheless, the release of these animals is hard to swallow and the joy we have witnessed in the celebrations is nauseating. It is clear that it is not just the terrorists who are immoral, but that the entire society is.
Yes, it is totally unnatural and sickening that those callous mothers and fathers are happy to have their sons and daughters back. They are obviously animals, or untermenschen, if you prefer that term. It has exactly that meaning, after all. Perhaps you have heard of it?
Also, pay attention! Shalit is also a French citizen and France did not do anything at all to free him. Instead french were busy kissing and loving with palestinian terrorists! By I agree with most, that this is an Israel mistake of rewarding terrorist, kidnapings and it would follow in future acts of kidnapings.
1027:1 is a great 5 year annualized rate!
The next Israeli soldier is due to be kidnapped in 5...4...3.........
They've been trying to capture another soldier or civilian every day for the last 51/2 years and have been unsuccessful. Sorry to disappoint.
That haven't really needed one until now, have they? They certainly were able to grab him. You can't guard everyone all the time, so Israel is going to have to deal with more kidnappings. Paying off at 1027:1 absolutely guarantees that.
paying back at 1000 to one is more like it, after all, the arabs agreed on the terms,
Actually if we are to be honest , we will found the following clear facts
- Israel has been violating all laws in dealing with everyone ( palastenians , turkish ,.. ) and this is because they are fully supported by the USA ( israelis are the actual terrorists )
- Israel has been killing and arresting thousands of people in palastine without any intevention or protection from the international community
- Israel has been holding nuclear weapons with all the protection of the US while other countries such as Iraq for example was totally destroyed and occupied by US only because of the US claims that they are trying to develop this kind of weapons ( can anyone go and inspect the Israeli placee nuclear weapons )
- Israel is enforcing a blockade on Gazza preventing all food , medical supplis ,.. to reach the people on there and meanwhle doing some assassinations every whil
Who is the terrorrist ??!
Finally , lets be honest only once and stop this blind support to Israel
professor of what? clearly not history. as golda meir said: when the professor and his fellow jew haters love their children more than they love killing jews, there will be peace.
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Hamas is at war with the so called "state of israel".. shalit is not a civilian who was kidnapped from his parent's lap , shalit is a SOLDIER who was CAPTURED during a military operation by Hamas who is AT WAR with Shalit's ARMY .... get it ???? SOLDIER- CAPTURED not Civilian mama boy –kidnapped !!! GOD !
you are right about something. shalit was a soldier and he was traded for 1000 killers who were not soldiers. but a least we now have a quid pro quo: 1000 for 1 and when the terrorists kill one jew israel is now justified in killing one thousand terrorists and their supporters. so omar quit the whining whch is what you jew haters do best, read your history, and treasure life as the israelis do. do you really think that the jews are going to pack up and leave israel? its time to join the real world!
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Peace in the Middle East could be solved by an increase in co operation between both sides i.e both sides sitting down and talking with one another. After a 100 comments or more on this page/site is anybody actually reading this ?
Oh God Bless those poor Dale Farm residents and beatiful Isreali people !
This is why:
"Freed would-be suicide bomber tells kids to be like her"
By REUTERS
10/19/2011 17:05
Kuntar urges Palestinians to capture Israeli soldiers
By JPOST.COM STAFF
10/19/2011 15:05
(Kuntar was convicted in an Israeli court for murder of policeman Eliyahu Shahar, Danny Haran, and Haran’s four-year-old daughter, Einat, smashing her head against a rock and then against his rifle)
But everything had to be done to bring Gilad back home. And now he's home.
Oh, don't worry! You can bet at least one out of the hundreds of terrorists released in the deal will strike! He will take a few israeli lives, perhaps more...? So, where is the idealism of no soldier left behind? What will you tell the mothers of those who will be killed by released Palestinian prisoners?
all of u shut up, the god want to be Israel not u and u decide not u.
in Quran mention that it will be Israel and it happen.
and the god love muslim people not how hate muslim and who reduces the respect of the muslim people will go to the hell
and the god what he wants it happen
At least this exchange confirmes that one Israeli soldier is worth as much as more than a thousand Palestinians..
For those who claim that some of the Palestinian prisoners are innocent, "under- age" or sweet women that were arrested for petty reasons. I have some breaking news for you.
1. The Israeli prison works ONLY by the law. The law says that taking someone elses life is a crime which requires a life sentence in jail.
2. The media industry and newspapers all over the world have better material to deal with than posting an article about every terror attack in israel. People who dont live in Israel will never understand what its like to be afraid of going on a bus, because it might explode and burn on fire, and moreover, they are not aware to the amount of innocent people are killed every year in those progroms. The human-being normal brain cant really percieve the picture of a palestinian 18-year-old boy killing with one knife a whole family at theire own house. This murder and his under-age cousin smiled when admitted that they shredded the 2 monthes old baby. Now they held by the israeli prison and get food, basketball games and a good medical service, while the hamas consider them as heros. (Happened on june 2011.)
Another terrorist that is free now is Al Aziz Salahe.
Look at the photo in the link below, on his hands there is a real blood of an israeli victim he just kiddnaped, brutally murdered and threw his dead body off the window to the palestinian mass' applause outside. (Occured in Ramallah, 2000)
http://www.mysay.co.il/Media/100521/IL/102080_450x338.jpg
Most of people hearts wont never get that this can be reality, but this is the situation. Some of palestin educate their children to be Shahids- to die for the death of jews- as its mention in their Koraan.
3. Israel WANT peace. Israel have a huge respect for human life- the swap is a proof. Killing innocent and intimidation people are NOT acceptable ways of negotiation.
4. Every country has a prison which is holding murderers, unfortunately. Where else in the world can you see 1000 of them released for the security of the land itself and one young soldier? From an outside point of view this is a complete absurd. But this is way more complicated, if fact, the Israeli goverment almost didnt have a choise. Look at the weird equation: 1027 murderers are free and openly declare to keep harming israel, for the freedom of one young soldier who havnt seen a sunlight since 2006.
5. I have some muslem friend who are well behaved, educated and kindhearted. Im not brainwashed at all, and I know good arabic people in israel who wont never harm somebody, and i believe that the real problem starts in the palestinian leadership: They are primitive, disrespect women, have no value for human life (when they kill each other- for example, when a man kills one of his wifes, he DOESNT get arrested, because in palestine uts allowed to be killed if you are cheating woman. no second chance).
I REALLY HOPE
that the worls would finnaly understand the middle east conflict. Its hard to be solved but we all need to pray for peace.
Israel has an unwritten contract between it's soldiers, that it will do anything to never leave even one soldier behind. Every Israeli is Proud to be an Israeli today, to be part of a nation valuing and saving the life of one single soul.
Izadin El Kasam, Hizbulla & hamas think it's worth while kidnapping another soldier, but they forgot that the day Gilad Shalit was Kidnapped, we went into a war into Lebanon and killed over 1,000 terrorist, so was it worth messing arround with Israel? Also next time you will kidnap a soldier Israel will do crazier stuff.... This is the Palestine you want? a country that welcomes praises death and killing? Making peace with Hamas is like the USA making peace with AL QUEDA...Hamas declared loudly in every speach that it's not about Israel giving back land from the 69 war borders which Israel Won, but it's about throwing all of Israel out to the sea... I don't know what about you but I'd rather have a start-up nation like Israel with productive factories of high-tech in Israel like Intell / MIcrosoft / Google - rather than giving children books that teach to only destory the only land of high-tech and democracy in the middle east.