Bravo for these people, these Israelis
Israel has freed 13,509 prisoners in order to win the release of a total of 16 soldiers. An average of well over 800 for each one. But this is the price.
By Bradley Burston Tags: Shalit swap Gilad Shalit Benjamin NetanyahuKeeping a promise can entail a terrible choice. Which is why Israelis' outpouring of support for a prisoner exchange for Gilad Shalit deserves profound admiration, even wonder.
In driving their leaders to accept the deal, in supporting Benjamin Netanyahu for having assented to it, Israelis by the millions are gambling their very lives, and those of their loved ones. And all just to keep a promise.
 |
Aviva and Noam Shalit with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara. |
| Photo by: Avi Ohayon |
On the face of it, the exchange is preposterous, in some ways, borderline suicidal. On the face of it, agreeing with Hamas to the release of more than a thousand Palestinian prisoners, many of them to this day proud of having committed heinous murders of innocent people in premeditated acts of terrorism, makes little sense.
Israelis know that the exchange will bolster the recently flagging popularity of Hamas, in particular its more militant figures. It could seriously undermine Palestinian moderates, foster a return of large-scale terrorism, and deal a telling blow to the Palestinian Authority, in the process eroding the security of Israelis on both sides of the Green Line.
The deal to bring Gilad Shalit back to his family is painful to Israelis bereaved by terror. It is, by any measure, chillingly dangerous.
And it was the right thing to do.
The deal is a remnant of an Israel which is fast disappearing. It is a remnant of a particular brand of quiet, exceptional courage. It is an expression of a national character that goes generally ignored in a media environment which prizes the extreme over the honorable. It is evidence of a people true to values which time and sectarian agendas may appear to have diluted and erased.
The deal for Gilad Shalit is a remnant of a promised land that – to those everyday people who donate their very youth, their very lives, in order to defend it – still believes it important to keep its promises.
The first of those promises is a simple one. When they draft you and process you and inoculate you and arm you and begin to use you, they spell it out, to you and your family both: If you are lost on the field of battle, we will get you back. Whatever it takes.
Whatever it takes. Even if it takes much too much.
The list of the terrorists being released is unendurable. The numbers are beyond understanding. Until you consider that this is how it's always been.
In Israel's nine prisoner exchanges with Arab enemies, dating back to the first, 54 years ago, Israel has freed 13,509 prisoners in order to win the release of a total of 16 soldiers. An average of well over 800 for each one. This is the price.
It is said that the people on the list for the current deal have been directly responsible for the deaths of 599 Israelis. Had Israelis waited longer for a deal, however, Gilad Shalit might well have made it 600.
On Tuesday morning, Israelis by the millions, heard a sentence that allowed them, at long last, to begin to breathe again: Gilad Shalit is no longer in Hamas hands.
There is something still extraordinary about the core of these people, the Israelis. In the summer, when hundreds of thousands marched in the streets for social justice, they roared their endorsement of a deal such as this to free Gilad Shalit.
In perhaps the most exceptional expressions of backing, even some of those most personally and deeply wounded by the terrorists to be freed, have come out in support.
"From the standpoint of a mother, I'm in favor of the price that's been paid in order to bring Gilad Shalit home," Sarit Golumbek, who lost her son Zvi 10 years ago in the bombing of the Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem, told Yedioth Ahronoth last week. "My heart is with the Shalit family."
There is no understanding what Sarit Golumbek has been through. There is no understanding what Israelis as a people have just done, in keeping that kind of promise, displaying this depth of compassion, taking this kind of risk, to bring home one of their own. Someone they never knew until it was too late.
But Israel being what it is, many, many of them came to know the Shalit family personally, on their walks the length and breadth of Israel, or in the tent by the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem, the protest tent that was their home until the news came that their son was finally to be freed.
Bravo for the people who brought Gilad home. Bravo for these people, these Israelis, who held a part of their breath for five years and four months, waiting for news of someone they did not know, but who could just as easily have been their own.
Bravo, as well, for Benjamin Netanyahu. He did what the people of Israel wanted. That is his job. He did not do the bidding of a raucous, vicious minority. He took courage in a courageous people. That is why he is there.
He did the right thing.
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
Many look to Israel for as a light unto nations and today the lamp is glowing. Well done.
Actually one israeli soldier is worth more than 1000, but the fear remains that they will wait, then say "Let's get another one and get 1000 of ours back again. There should be a policy that if they take one more israel should execute 1000 of theirs.
The math of 1 Israeli for 800 Arab soldiers is NOT the same as 1 Israeli soldier who was kidnapped from inside Israel in exchange NOT FOR OTHER SOLDIERS CAPTURED IN BATTLE but for terrorists who are premeditated murderers who vow to kill even more next time.
Todah, Bradley, for your story, and Mazal tov to the country as a whole, that brought one of its sons back.
Why have the Palestinians not been promised anything, including their own land?
Congratulations for getting your son back. Even your enemy admires your steadfastness and resolve in these matters, let alone those neutral or your supporters. Very heartwarming indeed , and I hope its the beginning of peace between the 2 sides. Hatred does not cease by hatred.
Hamas could have declared Shalit a POW, kept him in a prison, and allowed Red Cross visitation. If you want your own country, act like one not like a criminal gang.
No wonder these 'parents' who wrap around their children fake(or are they?) explosives can not understand the value of ANY life, Israel has prouved yet again Its true commitment to his most valuable asset : its people.
you mean we've proven that we are ready to let more of our own be murdered and tortured. How many were killed when Gilad was taken? "On Sunday morning (25 June 2006) in the course of an infiltration and attack by terrorists in the area of Kibbutz Kerem Shalom, an IDF officer and a soldier were killed, a soldier was abducted, and four others were wounded." And More will die in the next kidnapping as we have now made sure they will do it again!
Bringing Gilad home - Israel defines itself. Not bringing Gilad home - Israel permits others to define it.
You are a gutless wimp like all the Gilad Shalit groupies. You obscene fools do not deserve a country! Go back to the European Ghettos where you felt so secure!
It is no surprise to me to read these comments. What's so sickening about most of the comments and this site itself, is its continual anti-Jewish stance FROM Jews. It's like those chazzers who shake hands with Ahmedinejad.
Please, it is not Anti-Jewish and not Anti-Israel, it might be anti-Likud sometimes, and anti-Right Wing. But that is not the same as Anti-Jewish or Anti-Israel.
It is every civilian's duty to be prepared to die in order to save part of a soldier's life. Even just a small part. What is this? The Twilight Zone?
methinks the 250 with the blood of Israelis on there hands are goin' to meet Arlah soon.
We sure showed them! Those dumb Arabs will think twic . . . er . . . once . . . um. . . ah . . . YEAH RIGHT. The only thing they'll consider is how long to wait before taking another hostage so that we (the idiots) can let more murderers go free. YES I said MURDERERS! Is the life of ONE soldier worth more that 20 or 50 or 100 civillians? HE IS A SOLDIER PEOPLE!
What barvo Isrealis are bunch of thieves because they continue stealing other peoples land or support it. Just a bunch of scumbags no morals except the lucre
such a happy day for Israel and Shalit family. Well done Netanyahu. Now it's time to seek for ever-lasting peace in for Palesitne and Israel.
Presumably Israel wil replace the 1,000 prisoners with another thousand over the next few months. And what about the engineer guy they kidnapped in the Ukraine to swap for Shalit, what's happening to him?
The exchange rate is now set. Kill 1017 Pals for every Israeli killed by Hamas. Send 1017 rockets into Gaza for every rocket sent into Israel.
Just this one time in history, that Gilad gets his wish and the two sides talk. Neither side can really "win" in their bunker positions. A lot must be forgiven on *both* sides. But it must be forgiven for the lives lost to mean anything. If Hamas and Israel can even begin to hammer out a deal, the rest of the world is waiting and wanting to make this region a fit and fine place for both parties to live.
who didn't mistreat him for five years as a POW?
He was not permitted to receive letters from his family and was not permitted visits by the ICRC, all in violation of international law.
Good for Israel. It shows a culture of life over the HAMAS culture of death. There is no victory for HAMAS. This deal can only greatly restore Israel's image as people who so not leave their own behind.
What a sick, twisted way to describe the bereaved families of terror victims, who watched their loved ones' murderers set free today. The "vicious" party here is Bradley Burston, whose vicious callousness and slander against the bereaved families is shameful and beneath contempt.
The ransom originally asked by Hamas was the release of a few hundred women and children held by Israel. Refusal and the failure of the Summer Rains and Autumn Clouds to rescue or free Gilad Shalit had driven the 'price' to that eventually paid by Israel after 5 years. Comparing the original demand and the eventual price one has a measure of the incompetence of Olmert.
Whatever it takes, just don't let your people's corpses at enemy's hands. Then you can keep with war, and forget about anything else.
Am Yisroel Chai! We are together after repeated attempts to rip us apart. We all went through this ordeal as we do with all events, past & present. May we all see the ultimate redemption from captivity.
"Israelis know that the exchange will bolster the recently flagging popularity of Hamas, in particular its more militant figures. It could seriously undermine Palestinian moderates, foster a return of large-scale terrorism, and deal a telling blow to the Palestinian Authority..." Which will ensure that Netanyahu has a long, comfortable period to build more right-wing settlements on Palestinian land—because he's deliberately undermined Palestinian moderates, with whom he could have swapped land for peace, in favor of Palestinian militants, who have no interest in peace. Neither does Netanyahu.
Shalit was beginning to die, probably in a year he would have died (no sunlight, solitary confinement....) Why did it take Israel 5 years to pay the price? The price was clear, Palestinian prisoners. Israel invaded Gaza and Lebanon rather than pay the price of Palestinian prisoners. So many children and civilians killed and maimed in Israel's wars. They were not Jewish, but still....The cost of Shalit was huge
I would like to know why you prevent me from finishing my comment
Thanks to Bradley Burston for his eloquent column describing the values that drove Israel's hard-liner administration to bring back Gilad Shalit. The price was high, even crazily high. America would never do it. But Jews understand what it means to cut this pricey deal to bring home one of our sons.
The Shalit deal is reflective of the psyche of the israelis that this one of them is better than a 1000 others and one of their lives is worth 1000 others - shown in their assisting of the sri lanka army in the genocide of tamils
If we only knew the names of all those who will die as a result of this exchange, we would not be celebrating today. It is only because we can't identify them that we choose to sentence them to death.
The names of those who will die? Many can be found on the list of released prisoners who have now started to count their days.
Brilliant piece. You took the feelings of so many and gave them words. Thank you.
Obviously, you're an anti-semite or you would be looking at Syria and see who's terrorizing whom.
There is truth here. But there are also promises not kept. Many of the victims relatives were promised that the murderers would never be released. Once a long time ago the Israeli Government had a policy of not freeing prisoners with 'blood on their hands'. There is too another promise to be a society in which Justice is a paramount value. Freeing murderers is not Justice.
The deal may be correct according to some idealists but even their premise is incorrect. Would Israel do everything it can for the return of its soldiers? For example, would they stop settlement construction? Of course not. (I am not making a value judgment here the construction). Would they have released 10,000 prisoners? No. There is always a line beyond which action would not have been take. The question is then simply, did Israel sacrifice too much? Everyone will have his/her own opinion. But someone looking in from Mars would say that Israel got taken. Not just the numbers but also the heinousness of the people they released. These are the people the will be parading as heroes before the Palestinians. Makes me sick.
proud day to be a jew! this is a beautifully written piece.
I've never seen anyone as tormented, as confused by being a Jew as Burston. This is perhaps his greatest example. The release of one captured Israeli- soldier--one occupation- enforcing Israeli soldier--causes this reaction, while the false imprisonment of thousands of Palestinians by those same occupation- enforcing Israeli soldiers causes ... nothing. The world sees Israel for what it is, and no camouflaging by Burston or anyone else can disguise it: as racist and mendacious as the day is long.
I didn't realize that being convicted of murdering innocent people in a pre-meditated attack is equated to false imprisonment. I feel bad for you man.
no explanation needed.
Gilad Shalit's hollow-eyed, scrawny and timorous appearance, yet in an IDF uniform, captures what Israel (and the Jewish-community-at-large) has undergone with the intensity of worried emotions while he's been in captivity. Gilad's personae and appearance before his capture reminds me of my brother when he was a young adult. Perhaps many aspects of this tragedy resonates with many Israelis. But we need to surpass such misery. This is the reason the utmost needs to be made to find a diplomatic resolution with the Palestinians.
Really? These are the words you use to describe the families of terrorism victims?
These people will just return for more acts of terrorism, this was a big mistake....
note to brad; netanyahu doesn't need your approval. LOL
The Palestinian security prisoners are "Freedom Fighters" in the eyes of their people and rightly so. Such prisoners are all let go when a peace deal is struck. Just look at historical examples such as the recent IRA-British deal. In the meantime, the life of an Israeli soldier is saved. We are really talking about his LIFE, because if Hamas comes to believe that he will not be exchanged, they will end up killing him. From this, one can conclude that the deal is worthwhile. On the other hand, the annexationists and peace-rejectionists may turn it into a bad deal by prolonging the current no-peace situation, so the released killers have the motivation to kill again, and the kidnappers have the motivation to kidnap again. Note that each side in the Israeli public debate remains consistent with its long-term vision of the conflict with the Palestinians.
haaretz why do you post this fool's ramblings
..sure this time you PRAISE ISRAEL because it met YOUR CRITERIA for doing the "Right Thing" --but you FAIL to criticise tjhose "innocent" PALS who gathered 200,000 stronmg in Hamasland to shout "Let's get another Shalit!"....Your "innocent" PALS are scum of the earth-but YOU never dare criticize them --you are apaid Lefty hack of Haaaretz ---a schill for APPEASEMENT and the great kow-tow.
Yes, indeed, a promise made, a promise kept. BRAVO to all honorable and courageous people who helped keep this promise.
The real "raucous, vicious minority" in this whole thing is the Israeli press. It was they who said that he must be released AT ANY PRICE. Many times the Hamas were willing to compromise but the press just helped give them the confidence to ask for more. Yes, we did release murderers in the past. Just remember that they came back to murder again.
Sometimes You Disagree with Your Country’s Occupation of Palestinian Lands, Yet Here You Wholeheartedly Agree With All These Night Sweeps of Civilian Homes Your Occupation Army is Notorious For. You Claim to Disagree with the Settlements, Yet You are Adamantly Against Palestinian Resistance Even while Palestinians Dream of a free country in their Sleep. How Else There Still are Thousands upon Thousands of Palestinians Still in your Dungeons?
I am not sure where this Bradley dude served but when I did they told me not to get caught!! Who is going to be held responsible for the next Jew is going to be killed by these morons? Net or this smock Bradley? They are already looking for the next Shalit...shame on you!
800/1 confirms that it takes 800 Palestinians to make 1 Israeli,consequently,we can kill 800 of then for every one of us,this is according to Hamas's own calculation.So be it
I salute them because they are brave and noble. I only wish they would be brave enough to end the oppresion of the Palestinian people too. This is a good day for humanity.
this deal was wrong, we have to stop this, how many israelis have died at the hands of terrorists released in these lopsided exhanges? how many will die this time? i don't believe this deal is overwhelmingly supported no matter what the polls say. deep in our hearts most of us know this will only bring more heartache and pain
And they wonder how we've survived all these centuries. . . . עם ישראל חי!
Those are people we could easily do without
Beautifully articulated and a reminder that, although many of us in Israel's corner disagree amongst ourselves (Mr Bradley tends to be somewhat to the left of my own views, I mean) we all - or at least the vast majority of us - want the same thing.
means only one thing. That t is 1000 times as difficult for Hamas to capture israeli prisoners than israel to capture Palestinian people including women and children in their homes for so called "terrorism". As soon as US support for israel stops we'll see what the real odds are. Bravo Hamas, keep capturing little "soldier" boys like shalit until every palestinian man, women and child is released and you free yourself from occupation. Respect to you.
.....You shame yourself and debase the Palestinian cause with your inane and ignorant comment. Speaking of 'little', go take a look in the mirror.
This is the most beautiful article I have read in awhile. Thank you!
This prisoner exchange was a good first step but Israel still holds thousands of Palestinian political prisoners. Pursuant to an end to the occupation and to bolster Palestinian moderates Israel should announce a general amnesty and release the rest of the prisoners to the PA.
Why should anyone take advice from someone so clearly hostile to israel?
There were kidnappings and killing of Jews by the Palestinians beforfe the so called occupation. Return to dream-land if you like but stop posting your idisocy.
The key word is "political". Political prisoners, Palestinians who have never harmed anyone and many of whom have never been formally accused or tried. I would like to have seen the convicted killers stay in jail and the political prisoners released. But sadly Hamas would never have gone for that. And let's also bear in mind that for all their monstrosity, even at the height of the terrorist attacks, the IDF killed more Palestinian civilians than these prisoners and their friends killed Israelis. For example, 971 children died in I/P between Sept 2000 and July 2007. 88% of these were Palestinian. And if your reaction is some version of "it's their own fault" then you're no better than Hamas, who also blame their victims.
Bradley Burston you too are an Israeli. One of these Israelis. Thank you for your article.
Shalit would never have been kidnapped in the first place if Israel had not descended into mawkish sentimentality and displayed a willingness to be manipulated. This deal will cost lives, bolster the credentials of those who want perpetual war on the Palestinian side, and delay peace.
Language. Always manipulating the language.
You always find the right words !
In the case of Gilad Shalit the Israeli Jews are a light amongst us in this world and an example for us all.
I knew you would come around eventually.
Thank you to the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for the freedom & life of this young man Gilad. May You bless him with a long and peaceful life to the esteem of Your Name. Amein.
Bradley, this does not have to be "the price". Murderers belong in jail for life, or be executed. Simple. Let us start by executing the killers of the Fogel family. TODAY !
According to the Shin Bet 60% of the released prisoners returned to terror activity and 15% participated in lethal attacks which claimed more Israeli lives. I guess the figure is broadly similar for the 16 Israeli soldiers. I hope Shalit signed a paper saying he would now refrain from all attacks on Palestinians!
You give eloquent expression to the "special" and "wondrous" in the Jewish character, molded over the ages under unique circumstances. No other nation will even dream of such an exchange, yet the people of Israel have a hard time holding back their tears of happiness.
Reading this makes me proud to be a Zionist. And it makes one remember that Israel is far from perfect, has committed reprehensible acts against those who have a legitimate claim to this land, but at its core the Jewish state (unlike any of its neighbors) cares about its citizens, as individuals, as Jews. This is what Zionism was supposed to be all about. Ben Gurion would be proud today.
"many of them to this day proud of having committed heinous murders of innocent people in premeditated acts of terrorism, makes little sense." What a load of BS. Every time I hear crap like this, I want to vomit. The rule of thumb that I have now adopted is that whatever the zionist machine writes, all you have to do is replace the words Palestinian, or Musliim with israeli or Jew, and you will have the true account of what really has transpired. The Palestinian prisoners are innocent victoms of israeli brutality and occupation. Shalit was a soldier out to kill innocent people. He was caught by true Warriors. If fighting against the occupation and defending your right to live, earns you the title of terrorist, than I guess we are all terrorists.
to this bs article. How naive and ignorant can one be to say Palestinians are the terrorist and israelis vicitims. There are women and children in israel prisons who are "arrested" during nightly razzias and they are the "terrorists" and when shalit patrols as a soldier and gets captured he is a victim. The world doesnt buy it anymore. The applause Abbas got during his UN speech says enough.
Capturing or killing him is not a terrorist act.
Palestinians were killing Jews before the occupation. You and your family should be blown up by these poor, innocent murderers.
Where were you in Jerusalem 1920 and Jaffa1921 and Hebron 1929 when Palestinian Arab mobs slaughtered Palestinan Jews so because they were Jews. Where were you in 1947 when the UN mandated the State of Palestine and the State of Israel. The State of Palestine which the Pals rejected. All this before occupation started in 1967. You want to vomit. then choke on your vomit you puke.
Where were you in Jerusalem 1920 and Jaffa1921 and Hebron 1929 when Palestinian Arab mobs slaughtered Palestinan Jews so because they were Jews. Where were you in 1947 when the UN mandated the State of Palestine and the State of Israel. The State of Palestine which the Pals rejected. All this before occupation started in 1967. You want to vomit. then choke on your vomit you puke.
were the dead Israeli "citizens" also "legitimate targets" of occupation ?
What you need to do is educate yourself of historical facts. Forget about biblical facts because those are proof alone that the Hebrew speaking ( Jewish ) people are the indigenous people of the region. Just read about the continuous assault by Palestinian Arabs on Palestinian Jews from 1920 up to 1948. Then the assaults by all Arab countries against their Jewish populace beginning in 1947/48. Yes the Palestinians are the terrorists and the Israelis are the victims.
how many did gilad kill? among the released were people who have murdered and abetted murder. i guess this is ok but serving in the military is not, protecting your borders? what i know is that it doesn't matter what, you side with palestinians and others side with israelis. you have chosen the side you sympathise with and deem the murder of people in cafes, buses and other civilian sites as proper resistance while drafted military personnel are murderers. you should vomit on yourself, seriously.
The deal was definitely right, and I usually don't support Netanyahu, but I did support that he agreed to this. I am very happy that Shalit is released and I really wish him to have a good life now and I wish him and his family all luck. Also, I don't really care about the prisoners, at least not if they are guilty. But at least they have been in prison and got punishment. It is not like they have never got any punishment, so I think that it was right to release them because of the deal.
"That which you do to the least of men, so too you do unto me."
please stop posting under shalit's name
No Doubt!
Without a doubt!! And clearly the Israelis value their own over the detritus that are the newly-released Palestinian terrorists.
Interesting piece Bradley. For more analysis on the swap deal and other global issues check out this new blog - http://globalbear-ings.blogspot.com/ Thanks for reading.