A kidnapped soldier worth a thousand criminals?
Il Giornale, November 26, 2009
On these days, to exemplify the parable of Israel's condition in the Middle East, you can look to the worst of all deals : the exchange of 1 innocent boy, an unexperienced Israeli army corporal, still held in cruel segregation from the day of the kidnapping in June 2006 by a gang of thugs, with 1400 Palestinian prisoners condemned by the most rigorous processes that can be ensured by justice. Among them, at least a hundred life convicts, murderers, serial killers of women and children.
Now is the time when definitive names are decided, while Israel is trying not to free the most fanatical murderers, those who probably will return to kill. But Israel is subject to two special extraordinary forces: total devotion to life and will of survival, saving the children for their parents and on the other hand, the cynicism of a world that always pushes Israel to consider giving up, as if it needed to make amends...!
As in a vortex of guilt Netanyahu, right in the middle of such controversial negotiation, announced yesterday his decision to stop any construction in the settlements for the next ten months, another seed of dissent within his people, as the one concerning Gilad too, but at the same time a proof of diligence and good behavior, demanded by the international forum.
Hamas, meanwhile, mischievous, puts off the decision on Shalit to Monday, with orders and counter-orders from Damascus and Cairo. The German mediator is in shambles, Shalit's parents using every minute, and their heroic faith, to knock on the doors of politicians and rabbis to have them ask for an exchange. At the same time Roni Karman, Mendelevich Yossi, Yossi Tzur, the parents of three boys killed in the March 2003 on number 37 bus in Haifa are asking the High Court to oppose the release of murderers.
Is it right or wrong to consider the life of a soldier worth the release of such ferocity to the world? Just letting free Hammed Ibrahim, military leader of Hamas in the West Bank, who killed in the attacks he organized 76 people? Or Abdullah Barghouti "the engineer" who prepared all ther explosives that caused bloodshed in Jerusalem between 2001 and 2003? His victims, the Sbarro restaurant, the University Cafeteria of Mount Scopus, are at least 46. Or Sayed Abbas, who masterminded the suicide bombing in a Natanya hotel in 2002, in which 30 Israelis were killed, including many elderly Holocaust survivors who celebrated together with families, the ritual meal of Passover, and many others.
In the list the most famous is Marwan Barghouti, who is said that, once released, will replace Abu Mazen. If that happens, Hamas could support a single candidate because, once Barghouti is released owing to its good offices, the former head of the Fatah Tanzim will owe them this favour. His most recent photos show him smiling in prison among inmates of various political groups. But Barghouti has collected five life sentences, is the real organizer of the second Intifada, we interviewed him several times in Ramallah. He was Arafat's man, who invented
and controlled on his behalf the logistics of the terrorists and their explosive belts. Barghouti, if released, can replace Abu Mazen, certainly, but this means nothing at all for peace.
The node is not political, is a moral one. What is right? Israel will make the impossible exchange, every soldier must be sure of being saved if he falls into captivity. It is understandable that a country, so little and abandoned to itself, is deeply united around the value of life. Too bad that, all around, millions of people will make of this choice an invitation to kidnap and kill again.
translated by Crystal K.
This is good news for Shalit's parents, and, of course, Shalit. It is, however, wrong. Very wrong. Morally wrong also.The release of these criminals/terrorists will put even more Israeli lives at risk. Furthermore it is likely that (if a deal is indeed struck) it will be seen as a victory for Hamas whose stated purpose is to destroy Israel. Since we are living in an odious politically correct world Israel, unlike other nations has to be exceedingly careful of world reaction. I predict that once the deal is official Obama will congratulate both sides and then will heap praises upon the Muslim world.As usual.