'I am torn between freeing hostages and protecting Israelis'

I suspect not all Palestinian prisoners are terrorists with blood on their hands. If thats true, perhaps someone should speak up. Israel holds 11,000 Palestinians in prison, many with no charges. According to EU Parliament resolution of 4 Sept'08, among the 11,000 prisoners are hundreds of women and children, most arrested in the occupied West Bank. According to the Convention of Rights of the Child, a child is defined as under age of 18. Palestinian children are treated as adults at 16 and often kept in inappropriate conditions. Around 1,000 prisoners are held on "administrative detention orders," without charge, trial or rights of defense, and detention orders are often prolonged for years. Human Rights reports state Palestinian prisoners are subject to abuses and torture. Even 48 elected members of the Palestinian Legislative Council are in prison. Mistreated women prisoners do not have access to adequate medical care. Do you think none of them could be released?

What a great and honest response. I live in Israel but am not sufficiently inside the real picture to make a considered judgement. My gut feel though is that it would be great to see Gilad back at home with his family

Between Stockholm and Tehran, Israel of 2009 is much closer to Tehran. From birth to death, from circumcision to funeral, from the establishment of the state to the establishment of the last of the illegal settlements and outposts in the West Bank - Israel is operating in the shadow of the commandments of religion. Israelis should be honest with themselves and admit it already: The country is too religious and its going to be like Saudi Arabia

endangers Israelis far more than any terrorists. As long as it goes on, there will be Palestinians willing to strap it on in defiance. He's torn between keeping illegally acquired Palestinian territory and facing the wrath of the those pushing for a Greater Israel if he stops the stealing of Palestinian territory. Israel is a greedy kid with it's hand caught in the cookie jar and Shalit is unfortunately just another pawn.

Shalit was a soldier when he was taken as hostage by Hamas. Any soldier knows that he could be killed. A soldier should be freed by a military operation, not by kneeling to hostage-takers. When Shalit was taken hostage, there were other soldiers in the same tank who were killed. If life of one soldier equals lives of hundreds if killers - I demand that the same hundreds of terrorists will be executed for the lives of those killed soldiers ! Does anybody think about how Shalit will look into the eyes of relatives of those who will be killed by the freed killers ?

we take 2000, we can pick them anytime we like, eh........usually at dawn , very early morning after they had a good sleep, see how we are kind.

We've only borrowed some from the Pals, Foreign workers, just as we are keeping some Dunams of lands, Houses, Roads, and keep them all safe by building our little walls, Fences, Towers and this and that west of the 67 borders.Of course we will give them back, we are the CHOOSEN PEOPLE we do NO WRONG

Stop Providing Israel with BILLIONS of ARMS every year, and enough money to build settlements on conqured Arab Lands.

Why bring this principle of "to protect Israeli citizen from future attacks" Prime Minister Netanyahu must remember why Gilat Shalit was taken Prisoner. Well Mr PM, it was simply for the Palestinians to have their prisoners back(Children and women,and men). As long as there are Palestinians in Israeli JAILS,there will be attempt to kidnap Israelis, and imprison them, then long talks on swap...... Mr PM, do the right thing before it is too late for everybody in your region. Withdraw from the Occupied Territories and live in Peace with your neighbors, you will NEVER have PEACE without leaving the WEST BANK, THE GOLAN, and THe Shebba Farms. Please save your JEWISH STATE NOW, do not wait for a future SUNAMI/BINATIONAL STATE.

Fact that Gilad has been held in captivity for too long versus a may-be the 1000 will become terrorists, i rather we go for the fact. Also, Israel is capable of capturing any returning or new terrorist. Why let fear keep us from doing what is kind and right? Bibi, if it is your son or grandson that is being held in captivity, what would you do? Sorry for the hard question.

I don't envy Bibi for having to make the final decision. I believe that every parent would do everything to bring their child back.

The PM did wrong to play on Family emotions, for him to take a Vital decision on prisoners swap, and the security of the country. This is a behaviour of a statesman, so what would happen if the deal go sour later? He will then say "I was Torn" but you lead me.... Is this fair, ?

If I may be so frank... About the deal to have Gilad Shalit released from captivity (may he be free soon and live a long, happy life)... if Israel would have had the death penalty for these terrorists with the blood of so many innocent people on their hands, then Hamas could not have forced us to free a thousand dangerous murderers... Eventhough I don't like the death penallty at all... in this case, for the sake of humanity, I think Israel should change the law.

A Nazi, dying in a hospital after WWII, asked Simon Wiesenthal for forgiveness for murdering a village of Jews. He could not. He collected essays for his book "The Sunflower" that concluded genocide was an unforgivable sin. Anyone guilty of genocide should never be released.

Israelis will never learn their lesson. They always need to be re-taught. Israel has so many so-called detainees because they want to continue to make life like hell for both Christians and Muslims in the land of Jesus so they can leave. And of course because Israel has bigger guns and they can oppress the non-jewish population. So, you are now forced to deal with the fact that one of your own had been taken. See how it feels? Multiply that by 10,000. Do you know what's it like for their families??? If not, ask Gilad's parents. Ask Noam Shalit.

Everybody acts as if this decision is a no brainer. Give Netanyahu a break

Learn your lessons dear Israel.

I think your post is one of the best of 2009 in this forum. Thank you for it. Other thoughts: Esther of TV cannot possibly be what her name is trying to suggest. A fringe left or Islamist propagandist is my call. Jackoff Sullivan, contrary to Bill's assumptions, is some kind of "Palestinian" by her own admission, huddling for comfort in US, but refusing to assimilate to any part of US culture except for free (incoherrant) speech.

mention that such an action (Kidnaping of Shalit) is useful and should be used more often in order to free more prisoners! The importance of Israeli soldiers is realized and maybe used more often in the future. Watch out!

Shalit's parents must be WORN out... Get it over with and move on with more important stuff...Like go at Iran!!!!!...and ALONE..

I know Bibi enough to know when he lies. He has made up his mind the decision is done, he will trade 1000 terrorists for 1 soldier and those 1000 terrorists will kill 100 Israelis. So he makes this statement to cover his behind. He is so predictable.

Are any of the prisoners 9/11 terrorist?Can we change jurisdiction to another nation?During the September 11 2001 attacks were not just in United States they were worldwide.About ten thousand Americans died that day in worldwide attacks as well as British foreign entitied persons.These attacks were well planned and orchestrated.Are these the terms and can we exchange with United States,England,France, and other nations involved?Not just a decision of hostage exchange then.I would contact Interpol with the prisones and their crimes.Please be careful this opens up a pandoras box. Karoon-Rankoo

...if Netanyahu is not doing his duty to protect Israelis, as you claim. But consistency is not your strong point.

We know how long this has been, but it is simply not Wise to Ever give in to these Genocidal Maniacs. Schalit was in training, he was ready to risk his life once, now as frightened as he may be, we must all be willing to risk ourselves, to the knowledge that any time, we may all be called upon to fight to the death, for a higher purpose. We can not allow ourselves to be used in this fashion.

Unless Hamas do a 1 to 1 prisoner exchange, this nonsense will carry on making capturing Jewish militray personel a number 1 priority and reward. His release will undoubtly cost other lives in due course. Hamas could release him, but their evil intent against the nation of Israel is unlikely to change, apeasement will not work.

One thing that we all admired about Israel was the lengths it will go to bring back it's fallen and captured. It is what makes it human and a culture that values life, not death unlike the barbarity of radical Islam.

Giving 1000 people for one person is ridiculous. You are at war Israel, and people die at war. In fact, last I checked, people die every day all over the world from all circumstances. Life is not that precious really. Barghouti alone is a fair trade for Shalit. In fact, you have every right to demand Shalit and MORE to give up Barghouti, not the other way around. Jews need to stop being so melodramatic, the life of one soldier is not worth this.

He's a wavering quavering pee-in-my-pants non-leader.

NO, we must not undermine the chances of peace, by doing this deal! As a liberal, I believe in peace. But what is so frequently forgotten is that peace comes from fostering trust and understanding, and making good decisions which support that process, and also - on the flipside - by UNDERMINING the forces of terrorism and suffering that stand in opposition to that process, attempting to sabotage such progress. Hamas would not EXIST today, if the State of Israel, had not done the Jibril Deal in 1985 that resulted in the release of Sheikh Yassin and 1,150 other supporters, prisoners and terrorists in exchange for just 3 Israelis. That was a mistake, it fuelled future terrorism costing countless lives. If only Israel had said NO in 1985, Hamas would not exist today. We'd probably of had a peaceful Palestinian state by now. Israel betrayed us all, by one bad decision in 1985. How many died as a result? Think 'process', do NOT reward terrorism. Support moves towards peace, NOT this

If I were Shalit, never would I accept me being released for freeing a thousand murderers. I would instead grab my guards, do my best to kill them. If I succeed,I would continue fighting, killing as many as I can until I die. But I would never accept submission.

yes dave, you sit there in an armchair without truly knowing why the pals do what they do, go to gaza and then we'll see who you really feel sorry for, keeping the pals imprisoned with many women and children is NOT freedom, not even the jews during the israeli creation were forced to endure what the pals did.

Andy is spot on. Haaretz' daily speculations about one soldier's will be, will not be, soon, next week, not now, negotiator leaving, negotiator coming...are farcical. Please tell us when you have facts. Meanwhile, write at least some words about the Israeli admission of organ theft. That's a pretty major news story? (I bet this talkback will be censored).

"Then all they will need are ten more Gilads to clean out the prisons. Feeling safe now?" - D Knotts to Esther RIGHT YOU ARE! Obviously.

That was quite a little evangelical trounce there wasnt it bill. mercy. hope the rapture leaves you and the pimps behind. Barak Ravid: this is a fair response to the one with the word of the god of the universe, no less!

... in any event, policy should not be built on that... ... it would stultify any movement towards eventual peace and conciliation ever...

Protecting Israelis is the number one job of the Prime Minister. All Hamas needs is 10 more hostages and they can get all their prisoners out of jail base of the terms they now request. I would offer a large monetary reward to anyone for the safe return of the hostage, but that is it.

Gilad Shalit is nothing more than a bargaining chip - but to Israels benefit. While he's in captivity all the world knows his name and - as Sharon said in the early 80's "Our [Israels] greatest strength lies in convincing the world that we're weak". Once he's released perhaps the world will wonder the names of the 10-11,000 Palestinian civilians being held in Israels jails...

time is running out for hamas , the egyptians are locking them in tight !

We read Esther's Leftist daily musings. Trust me, David from NY "GETS IT" far more than you. Just because you sit in Tel Aviv makes your appeasement even more shameful. Who are you to declare that you are more special than we in the US. Left to your vices, Israel would no longer exist. You appeasers are the root of all that has befallen Israelis since 1993. And we have every right, and OBLIGATION to scream it from the US and elsewhere. Esther, you have already done enough with Oslo, now it falls on us to right the ship.

You seem to relish the release of islamic murderers , so that they can murder more innocent Jewish men, women , children , the aged and infirm

Better you be apologist for devil from thousands of miles away than criticizing he that does not apologize to devil from so far away.

You are obviously still infected with the apostate , demonic witchcraft spirit of rome , the idolatrous queen of heaven worshipping cult . You need to renounce your witchcraft initiation and confirmation ( baptism and confirmation ) into the worship of the queen of heaven and the dogma and doctrine of rome ( which they declare takes precedence over the WORD OF THE G-D OF THE UNIVERSE ) . Barak Ravid : This is a fair response in truth , countering Y.S 's statement that the Leaders of Israel are " Pathetic Pimps " Please do not reject it like many of my posts are rejected .

Then all they will need are ten more Gilads to clean out the prisons. Feeling safe now?

What a sick, sick joke. Anybody out there remember Hilarian Capucci? I do. Very well, so I'll remind. He is a Christian priest who was arrested, some twenty years ago, at Israel's northern border for gun running for the Arabs, caught red handed with his car stuffed with weapons. Although sentenced to imprisonment, Israel capitulated on appeals from the Vatican, who promised that Capucci would NEVER again be allowed near the Middle East and so he was released from prison and deported. And lo! Within the past year he was back, arrested on one of those "peace ships" headed for Gaza, attempting to break the Israeli naval blockade. If the Pope is unable to guarantee an agreement, what will a promise from Hamas, to exile some released murderers, be worth? Note the comment in the article, "Some will be able to CHOOSE their destinations"! Admittedly never is a long time but don't your enemies without fail maintain that time is on their side?

... another 10,000 prisoners at least left over... ... but even more important is that we will have saved Gilad Shalit from endless incarceration, and even death... ... better you confine yourself to problems in NY, in your own back-yard, in which you may be far more knowledgeable...

Now Israel gov't. is following suit by planning to free 1000 murderers of Israel Jews.

Israel should make the hammas an offer.Give us back our man in 24 hours and nobody gets hurt.After the 24 hours,we will repay you for every qassam and mortar you lobbyed,ten fold... Even they can understand when it starts hurting!

... this interference will not assuage the irreparable loss of their loved ones... ... it will be a pre-ordained tragedy if Bibi harks to their entreaties...

of course you don't free terrorists. why is there even a debate? isn't that why we went into entebbe? isn't it logical that 1000 freed terrorists will cause innumerable deaths? isn't it logical that by emtying the prisons for a single kidnapped soldier that you only lead hamas to kidnap more soldiers. isn't it obvious that logic does not apply to the israeli givernment?

Gideon Levy is correct. Netanyahu is a gasbag. He is a master at propaganda and he will do all in his power to sabotage these discussions and prevent their successful conclusion. Protecting Israelis, my ass! This clown is a source for terror as is the occupation he glorifies. What a lot of pathetic pimps!

Isreal holds thousands of Pal prisoners for resisting the occupation and have in the process blood on their hands, Hamas holds shalit and intends to capture more for enforcing the occupation, and they also have blood on their hands. That is how the rest of the world sees the situation.

One day after the shocking admission that Israel had been harvesting Palestinian organs, we get this non-news about the PM's inner turmoil over negotiations. The press moves on. Mission accomplished.

...looking at the pretty snow storm and criticize PM Netanayu nor make any kind of demand of Gilad Shalit's parents. How dare all of you who post your snide comments either way on the other threads as if Shalit's life is expendable and/or releasing terrorists with blood on their hands into the relatively calm West Bank is ok. I have nothing but awe for Israeli people who THRIVE under the most difficult and intense situations imaginable. And yes anti Israel proponents, who do nothing but keep peace at bay by reinforcing bad Palestinian behavior, I do have some sympathy for the Palestinians. But, I admit, not as much. The choices here are all bad. The reality is that none of us except for the Shalit?s, Netanayu and Israeli?s living in Israel should have anything to say.

walk to work or carry my lunch. Continuing to imprison thousands of people indefinitely without any democratic rights to formal charges, an attorney, and a speedy trial puts everyone in danger. Charge them or release them - that's it. Justice, Justice, shalt thou pursue.

For the sake of one many will be jeopardised... Exchange only one for one...