"The question is not just what you tell the families of the kidnapped soldiers, but what you tell the families of the dead," says MK Yisrael Hasson (Yisrael Beiteinu), a former deputy chief of the Shin Bet security service.
Hasson was referring to the potential casualties who will die as a result of actions initiated by senior members of terror organizations released in the expected deals to free the hostages.
"It's true that these dead are still anonymous, and nor will the public know that they died because of the prisoner exchange deal," Hasson says. "But you must also look the families of the dead straight in the eye."
Over the past 18 months, the families of the kidnapped soldiers have taken on sacred-cow status in Israeli public opinion. The result is that we usually hear the families' demands to do everything to free their sons, without hearing any voice countering that we must not pay any price.
Still, it is obvious that the moment a deal is reached there will be fierce criticism of the price, the number of prisoners released, and especially the release of "terrorists with blood on their hands."
Two traumas lie buried in the subconscious of any discussion of a deal to release soldiers taken prisoner or kidnapped: the Jibril deal of 1985, in which 1,150 prisoners and detainees, including murderers, were exchanged for three Israeli soldiers; and the Tannenbaum deal, in which 430 prisoners and detainees, including those considered important bargaining chips, were exchanged for the abducted Israeli civilian and three bodies. You might say the established rate is 400 detainees per Israeli.
"Look how many people returned for life sentences from the Jibril deal," Hasson says. "More than 30 people were killed as a results of the release of Islamic Jihad people in the Jenin region in the Tannenbaum deal. A hundred and something were wounded. It is a terrible thing."
Hasson thinks that instead of negotiating for the kidnapped soldiers' release, Israel must create a balance of deterrence - create a situation in which no senior Hamas member would be able to walk on the street in Gaza until Gilad Shalit has been freed, or kidnap a Hezbollah member every month. "It can't be that the only option is negotiations," he says.
"If we didn't release them, we wouldn't pay with casualties? Where's the proof?" asks Kadima MK and retired IDF general Prof. Yitzhak Ben Yisrael, who is a strategic security expert.
"Nobody can say what might have happened if the Tannenbaum deal had not taken place," concurs retired general and former Mossad chief Dani Yatom, a Labor MK. "What is clear is that the terrorists' motivation never declines. We hit them hard and they shoot; kill them and they shoot. I don't see that their motivation has gone up or down as a result of their succeeding or not to release prisoners."
Prof. Shlomo Breznitz, a University of Haifa psychologist and world-class expert on stressful situations, was until recently an MK from Kadima. He says he does not accept the claim that the source of Israelis' strength is their sensitivity to the individual.
"That is one of our main weak points - we are fighting a cruel enemy and tie our own hands," Breznitz says, adding: "In the Second Lebanon War a division's assault came to a halt because of two wounded soldiers. It is totally absurd."
Breznitz, known to be close to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, says that Olmert must tell the families of the kidnapped soldiers that Israel cannot afford the mammoth deals, that this is impossible under the present circumstances. "The prime minister finds himself a victim of decades-old policy. You cannot expect him to drop it just like that. He is helpless."
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is that M.D. for mad dog or medical doctor? if it is the latter, then your licence to practice medicine should be stripped away, based on your comments. You obviously do not value human life as a doctor should (yes, the Palestinians are humans too!). Your proposal may get Shalit to be release, but he will be dead, very dead.
I agree with #1 totally. Cheap, extremely cheap and valueless. I wonder how they intend to run their state infact they cant because 400 of them might not have enough IQ to make sense. It is glaring the only thing they understand is hate and murder.
You can wish all you want for the execution and deportation of Palestinians. In the end, nothing has forced Israel to release any significant prisoners except kidnappings. This time around too, and like dogs, Israel will capitulate and released the Palestininas and Lebanese.
Whoops! The title threw me. I thought it was a suggestion, that for every Israeli killed or wounded, 400 Palestinians be killed or wounded. The second thing that flashed through my mind was maybe for every Israeli killed or wounded, 400 square kilometers of territory now alleged to be in question, be annexed and placed under Israel's sovreignty. Silly me. But then again, I'm not a "post" Zionist. Just the old fashioned analog kind.
I wonder whether the reaction of those advocating a tough stance would be the same if their own kid were involved? But of course, all those great patriots make sure their own offspring are safe and abroad (e.g., Olmert, Barak and numerous others). Which proves again that patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.
This idea is pure insanity. How about 400 rockets on Gaza for every captive Israeli, to be executed 24/7 till released.Your interlocutrs understand no other language ! As for public opinion (WHERE WERE THEY DURING THE hOLOCAUST ? ) LET THEM GO AND CRY ON A mountIN !
Olmert is helpless, because he wants to be helpless and hapless. The policy of releasing murderers is bankrupt and will only benefit Hamas and Hezbollah. Olmert can trade Haneyah's sisters living in Israel for Shalit. Other options include releasing prisioners into Gaza. Even Hamas does not want them.
the solution is: giant prisons with high walls, and all palestinians inside. i hardly understand the purpose of this article. all Palestinians are in jail anyway. some are open air jails, that's all!!! i am ashamed!
"10,000 beasts in Israeli jails as well. All should have been dead a long time ago, none should be released alive." You are talking like you own the world. Today you may hold the power, but tomorrow will be anther day. Tomorrow when your enemy will be in power, will you give the same advice?
...Turks used to put prisoners they held to death immediately after terrorists supplied the list of names they demanded to be released. As painful as it is to know that IDF's soldiers are in beast's hands, there must never be negotiations of murderer?s release. I am against holding 10,000 beasts in Israeli jails as well. All should have been dead a long time ago, none should be released alive. Than the kidnappings will stop for good. Any armed pal'n is eligible for the arranged meeting with alla without one-second delay. This must be the law of the land
"Look how many people returned for life sentences from the Jibril deal," Hasson says. "More than 30 people were killed as a results of the release of Islamic Jihad people in the Jenin region in the Tannenbaum deal. A hundred and something were wounded. It is a terrible thing." Quite true. The sad fact is that Tannenbaum wasn't worth the release of the terrorists. Tannenbaum was a drug dealer and generally a person Jews should not be proud of. His family was acquainted with PM Sharon so he got preferential treatment. A disgrace.
Personally I like the ratio. And I'd like to see that extended to deporting 400 Palestinians from west bank - Gaza for every Jew imported to Israel from Arab / Persian Lands.
M K Yisrael Hasson must complete his statement where he claims that the exchange rate is 400 to 1 for Israeli soldiers.It also means that one ISRAELI Soldier is worth 400 arab soldiers.One ISRAELI worker is worth 400 arabs workers One ISRAEL teacher is worth 400 arab Teachers etc etc These arabs are plentiful and are worth very little.Wonder what hamas thinks they are worth??