Gilad Shalit was kidnapped by terrorists in 2006 - shortly after I arrived in Israel. I remember the mood of the country when it happened and the country was up in arms. That was five years ago. In that time, I started college, returned to the US, then returned to Israel, met Craig, got married, graduated, and got pregnant. A lot happens in five years but, for Gilad Shalit, life stayed the same - he's been held in captivity. He wasn't given an opportunity to finish the army, go to school, and meet the love of his life. At least, not yet.
I graduated from the prestigious Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya with a degree in counter terrorism with focuses on the Middle East, Conflict Resolution, and International Relations. I spent much of my college life studying Gilad Shalit's case and I was one of the few people who believed he was still alive.
When a soldier is kidnapped, there is a protocol in the army for a fellow soldier to shoot them dead. Better to have a dead soldier than a kidnapped one. A dead soldier is useless to terrorists. It sounds cruel and gruesome, I know, but it makes sense. Gilad Shalit wasn't shot dead, he was kidnapped and has been held for five years.
Before I really get into why I'm angry, I want you to understand something: many of the people being released in this prisoner deal DO NOT deserve to be released. These are not petty thieves, they're terrorists. To me, it'd be like letting one of the organizers of 9/11 go free. For one Israeli soldier to be released, it will cost Israel over 1,000 dangerous prisoners. Around 60% of them will return to terror. According to reports, here are some of the people who will be freed:
Among the prisoners to be released are 280 serving life sentences, among them those responsible for major terror attacks such as the 2001 bombing of the Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem, the beating to death of two IDF soldiers in Ramallah in 2000, the 1989 attack on bus 405, the abduction of soldier Nachshon Wachsman, who was killed during a rescue attempt, and the abduction and murder of soldiers Avi Sasportas, Ilan Sa'adon and Shahar Simani. - Haaretz.com
None of the people who died at the hands of these monsters will be able to return home to their families. I am happy for the Shalit family - their son will be returned - but many mothers who were affected by the actions of terrorists being released in the swap will not be so lucky.
This is why I'm angry! The Israeli public is being told that this was the best deal we could have gotten - my college education tells me otherwise. I am disgusted with the Israeli government right now! They should have done better. They should have done more to protect their citizens. They should know this is a stepping stone that will breed more terror. Allowing over 1,000 prisoners to live in freedom when they don't deserve to be alive (IMO) shows other terrorists that they can kidnap anyone, terrorize a population, and literally get away with murder without any real consequences.
Doesn't seem fair, does it?
2 comments:
I have been meaning to get my thoughts out for a few days now. After reading this, I felt compelled to.
I am very torn but I agree with you. I just hope we are wrong.
I do believe it was the best deal we could have made and gotten Gilad home, its just that we would have been safer if he did not come back or came back due to a rescue mission.
What angers me is that the PM's job is to do what is best for the people of Israel and this is definitely not best for us. it may be best for Gilad's family and for the PM's ratings but definitely not the rest of us.
What ever happened to the days of Golda Meir and Yitzhak Rabin who said we will not negotiate with terrorists, and sent troops anywhere to rescue our hostages. In one such raid our current PM BB Netanyahu lost his brother and now he chooses to disrespect the memory of his brother by releasing these murderers.
Anyhow love the site keep it up
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