Gilad Shalit must be released at any cost

he's just a poor dumb pathetic kapo... his left platform is in tatters because of his murdering arab friends...they are murderers..outright murderers. Is the left so pathetic as to support murderers at all cost? hamas and gaza should be bombed to smithereens...we should do what they did to the tamil tigers... he said she said...the fact is, israel was RE-born in 48, legitimate in front of the whole world, and ever since, the arabs have not been able to accept that...in fact, they were killing jews well before then...they had the nerve to side with hitler..near a decade before israel was re- born...so all this revisionist stuff is a load of crap...whether it's in NYC, london, madrid, bali, chechnya, bosnia, beslan, yemen, afghanistan, pakistan, all muslims do is kill innocents and the left empathizes with the killers..what a sorry lot you are...YOU are the real disgrace of this world...cummings, levy, durson, dutch, bbs, lincoln, lewiston, ETC..

willing to pay, a soldiers job is to follow orders, engage the enemy and protect at ALL citizens at any cost for their nation. Its unfortunate that a soldier was ambushed by cowards but his sacrifice for the greatest good for the greatest number is what will make him a hero. His family must understand this and stop pressuring the Bibi and the military leaders you are fighting a street fight with gloves and and playing by the rules, to beat cowards you make your own rules up and be more visious than the cowards. No one said this would be easy.

long after Arabs had been killing them. Nor do they call for the killing of all Arabs. Nor will this swap do anything for peace,it will strentgthen Hamas. Israel owes it soldiers to bring them home the rest is a nonsense.

Not everything just because it has a dovish/leftist flavor is kosher even for a confirmed peacenik such as yourself. Is the issue of the possibility that freed prisoners could launch new attacks against Israelis irrelevant? Is the issue whether the prisoner release could strengthen hardline forces within the Palestinian camp or encourage new abductions against Israelis irrelevant? Mr. Levy you need to recognize that despite its many shortcomings not all terrible things since the human race began is the responsibility of the Israeli government nor (although the idea may never have entered your head) that Israelis too may have legitimate concerns and rights just as the Palestinians have legitimate concerns and rights. In relationship to these points, it is worthwhile noting President's Carter's recent apology regarding some of his statements on Israel. Happy New Year Jack

There is no nice war. Each side uses the tools and weapons it has, including calling the other "terrorist". Israel has no interest in keeping prisoners of war in its jails and should release all of them wholesale. Not sure the other side would want them by the way. Anyway, everybody should be allowed to spend Christmas at peace and at home to celebrate the birth of our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ, including Hamas and Shas militants and ze Shalit family bien sûr.

I think you should try to make peace, seriously, who do you think you Israelis are to put a blockade on Gaza? Don't you see that violence creates more violence? is that difficult to understand? can't you see that people want peace and the actual terrorists are not all the Palestinians? Get over it, Jerusalem shall be the Palestinian state capital and now even the EU is pressing towards it. Just make peace and if still everybody wants to get rid of you, then act... anyway you've got quite the army don't you?

and let it be a truthful answer, since I know what it should be The PLO/FATAH Charter, the paragraph that called for the destruciton of Israel, HAS IT BEEN AMENDED, REVISED OR DELETED??

Israel has already released terrorists on parole, they pledged not to return to thir old ways, then they disregarded their promise as if it didn't exist That's why Israel won't mimic the IRA Israel's biggest hurdle is having know nothings telling Israel what to do You advice is worth exactly what you're being paid for it, nothing, nada, zilch

Good news all you have to do is kill yourself and Schalit will be freed What you aren't reaching for a gun to ensure he is freed. You think your life is worth more then his. Maybe then the lives of those Jews who will be killed if terrorists are released to free Schalit are worth as much as your life. After all some of them may even be leftists like you

at any cost: let say, for example, one of the terrorist to be release will kill you and all your family in a bombing. Do you agree?

Justice is not served when terrorists can get prisoners who were found guilty in a court of law released through kidnapping and lawlessness. This whole mess will only continue as long as the Israeli media and government keeps it on the front page of the news. We need to just shut up and ignore those who thumb their noses at civilized society. Their only recourse is to continue this never-ending process.

"There were IRA men locked up in N Ireland for their `terrorist` activities. Not 10,000 and not without trial, but nonetheless behind bars." rc You are incorrect when you state that every prisoner in Northen Ireland had a trial. You are also incorrect when you claim they were all terrorists. JUST gOOgle "Internment without trial". It was that same internment with out trial that started the hunger strikes and some of the violence that the Ira carried on English soil. You are correct in the rest of your assertions ----Violence begets violence and Israel just does not have the courage to admit they are wrong. Regards.

There is NO such thing as releasing at any cost.

I agree. Free Gilad. I served in the IDF at a time when I believed the government, the military, the integrity of the State of Israel was behind me, no matter what, they would do whatever necessary to ensure my safety and my return. Gilad has been used by every politician over the years and months he has been held in captivity. If he were the son of Bibi or Ehud would they treat the situation different? Probably not!!! Unfortunately. Free Gilad As Soon As Possible!

I do not agree with his take on the occupation. As we all know the Arab/Palestinians were attacking and killing Israelis long before 1967 and the "OCCUPATION". Where I do agree with Mr. Levy is that most if not all of the prisoners will want to go back to their lives and families without getting re-involved with terror. Even if necessary to free up to 1000 prisoners ...this alone will be a tremendous cost savings. As well the Palestinians have had their share of violence and Cast Lead put a real damper on their taste for more.

Hamas has been playing cat and mouse. No matter what Israel agrees to, Hamas will "hesitate" and then say NO. I am a parent and a US veteran and I "suggest" an ultimatum to Hamas: release Shalit in good health or Gaza will endure 10 times what they got in December. Mossad knows all the HQ's of Hamas, obliterate them at the same time. In the meantime Hamas is laughing but they should know by now: he who laughs last laughs best. The attack should be quick and overnight- no troops involved. The world can complain as much as they want.

Gideon is right: the political prisoners who have been locked up without charges, a trial, or a conviction - if they were ever terrorists to begin with - are the ones you should least fear. However, the sons, daughters, brothers and sisters of those prisoners - the ones denied visitation, and denied their mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters - those are the suicide bombers/rocket launchers of tomorrow.

Levy is pushing for releasing at any cost including jumping into the Mediterranean Sea. Is Levy a comedian?

It is wrong to talk in terms of price. As if it would cost us. We will only gain by it. Such a prisoner swap may bring about a turning around of the atmosphere of hatred and mark the beginning of new hope.

very well explained....impressive, regards

Wow! What straight forward logic and common sense. People listen up. Freedom is around the corner. Mobilize and demand yours today. Free the people now.

While it is heartbreaking that Gilead Shalit has been held under horrible conditions and everyone should like to see him released, it will be even more heartbreaking when the released terrorists murderers go back to their jjihadist ways and murder many more men, women and children. The example set by Colonel Weinberg, when he fell on a hand gredade and saved many of his comrades in arms. It is the sad duty of every soldier to be willing to sacrifice his own life and/or freedom to save the lives of his countrymen.

Sometimes I have the feeling that Israeli jews only care about jews. You show me again and again that you do care about others too. This is one of your better articles.

How frequently don't we hear the moaning about the innocent women and children who suffer from Israel's policies? When you recall that many women have been apprehended and some even blown up , who were suicide bombers or potential bombers, and the number of child bombers plus the hundreds of young Arab children wearing mock belts, who are brainwashed into the glories of "martyrdom", these appeals sound very hollow. Remember the thousands of rock throwing Arab children. A child or female bomber is as lethal as any adult male. There have been countless examples of those over the years. In Israel's never- ending struggle against its enemies and motivated exterminators, women and children play the same part as the men. It's high time that this is recognized. On the Arab side, women and children behave no differently from the men, and given the current realities, its long overdue that we dropped this emotional but phony distinction.

There was fedayeen before 1967. Why does Gideon assumethat terror is a result of occupation?

commitment to a negotiated peace with Israel at the Bethlehem congress meeting. You and I know that when Fatah renewed its charter with stating its " right to resistance to occupation in all its forms in line with its commitment to a negotiated peace with Israel " it's attributed to placating the hardline delegates within the congress. Apparently they won't renounce use of violence, that is, on paper until a final status agreement between Israel and the Palestinians is in writing. Action speaks louder than words and so far President Abbas and the PA has not resorted to resistance through violent means as Hamas. Hamas should not have been permitted to participate in the Palestinian elections in 2006 as they defied all agreements the PLO signed with Israel. My father was right about his weariness with their political inclusion because they did not reconcile with the Fatah movement. Forget about accepting Israel, they don't accept the principles of the PA's existence.

Really, Levy just needs to go on a Nation cruise with Norman Finklestein and relax a little. His legitimate criticism of his country has, over time, become so warped that it reads like communiques from the Mufti Haj Amin. At least Amira Haas will occasionally throw in a line or two noting that Palestinians aren't perfect people, either. To be clear: we can debate the genesis of the conflict, but at this point it's just blindly ideological to claim that releasing thousands of militant Palestinians from jail will lead to a DECREASE on attacks against Israelis. Reading Levy now is like reading an unreconstructed Marxist, or a flat-earther. I admire Ha'aretz's publication of critical voices but at a certain point, when a reporter becomes so untethered from reality, isn't it time to re-evaluate the paycheck? You do the Left no favors by having a madman as its spokesman.

... wilth all those incarcerated in Israeli jails... not only those suffering from day-to-day, but also those floundering for complete lack of hope regarding their future...

in iraq.they gave the kidnappers nothing and the british newspapers seldom mentioned the victims. in israel whether rightly or not we are obsessed with the kidnapping, the result was that the kidnappers received little publicity for their cause.

There were IRA men locked up in N Ireland for their 'terrorist' activities. Not 10,000 and not without trial, but nonetheless behind bars. As the price of an agreement with the IRA, they were freed on parole - their signed undertaking that they would not take up arms again. Any who did were reimprisoned and kept in until the end. Very few reoffended, because the IRA stood them down from the military wing and only allowed them to participate on the political side (few did). That was a realistic approach to insurgents (the word 'terrorist' adds nothing). It would assist in the freeing of Shalit. But Israel cannot and will not do that, for one simple reason: it cannot bring itself to accept that Hamas has legitimate cause for an armed struggle. If it treats them as military opponents, it loses the excuse to label them terrorists, admits a valid case against Israel and can no longer collectively punish all citizens in Gaza. Israel's biggest hurdle is all of its own making.

Comments like Levy just raise the price for Gilad Shalit and the soldier that will be kidnapped after him. Israel capitulated on previous prisoner swaps and all have led to a linear if not exponential increase in the demands from the Arabs. Israel must pass a law of 1 for 1. Also maybe those in the army will increase awareness and take added precautions to prevent the next kidnapping. Those soldiers who disobey commands need to be punished severely as well.

Israelis call Hamas 'terrorists' and use that to justify every kind of calumny, cruelty and repression against the Gazan civil population. Which of course creates more 'terrorists' and the game goes on. Israelis conveniently 'forget' that their founding fathers were very often terrorists, who bombed civilians and assassinated soldiers and opponents. But in the Israeli narrative, they were 'freedom fighters'. Well, Hamas is opposing the occupation of Palestine, just as Irgun, Lehi and Stern were. What's the difference? One is that Hamas (or more often splinter groups) is reduced to firing some home-made rockets. The other is that Israel has responded by walling 1.5 million civilians in a ghetto as collective punishment for not voting the right way. And in doing so, is violating all international humanitarian and military law. If one starts from there, the issue becomes much clearer.

If Israel executed convicted murderers, there would not be a dilemma about releasing them. It's hypocritical to conduct targetted assasinations and refuse to have a legal death sentence for terrorist murderers. Generally, I'm against the death sentence for ordinary murders because there's the possibility of error and there's the possibility of the murderer changing his character while incarcerated. But when holding them encourages kidnapping and thus pressure to release them, this situation has to end.

Levy says "But Shalit and the Palestinian prisoners are not alone. Seven million Israelis and three and a half million Palestinians have been imprisoned for 42 years in a dark cave due to the curse of occupation. " Oh yes, the curse of the occupation that started 42 years ago. Why did it start? Because Jordan refused to stay out of the war and attacked Israel, and the direct result of Jordanian aggression was the loss off the west bank. Levy is correct that we should have given Gaza back to Egypt immediately. And thrown up a wall and deep moat to keep the Gazans out of Israel (they could go work in Egypt, no?). Levy is simply upset that the Arabs failed to overrun Israel and kill us all - their stated goal. On the other hand, Levy could do us all a favor by falling on his pen and putting us out of his misery.

Smadar, the PA does NOT endorse peace and a two-state solution. The last PA election was won by Hamas, which opposes peace with Israel at any price. The next largest block in the PA is Fatah, which at its recent congress in Bethlehem reaffirmed that it is pro-war and anti-peace. The goal of Fatah (in their own words) is very clear on their website: http://www.e-fateh.org/paper_full_3.aspx Article (12) - total liberation of Palestine and the liquidation of the Zionist state economically and politically, militarily and culturally. Article (13) - the establishment of independent democratic Palestinian state with full sovereignty over all Palestinian territories [no two state solution anywhere in the goals of Fatah] Smadar - stop being such a sucker for propaganda.

Either Gilad is freed, or hamas must be totally exterminated by any means. Remember Japan in WWII? When Japan denied surrender, America used nuclear bombs.

Gideon again what a pitiful article. Palestinians have always and will always kidnap people whether they are Jews soldiers Arabs or foreigners. It is in their blood and culture simple as that. Ransom seeking has been a tradition in the Arab/Muslim world so Gilad Shalit will not be the first nor the last to be kidnapped. Concerning Pals prisoners yes several are held unnecessary but many should be prosecuted and sentenced to long prison terms. Gideon not all terrorists are innocent!!!

Yes, why was israel alowed to occupy and hold millions captived after 40 years.This was only possible with the United States of America help. America supported every Israeli bad deed or crimes against the Plaestinians people.Anyone who is is occupied or live in a slave life environment has the moral right to defend themselves, inspite of being called terrorists.Palestinians has been for too long being used as ponds,so Israel can make a deal with Arabs. Israel has not followed the roadmap, set out by the the international community, the Palestinians has make great efforts to do so.Because of the weakness in Israeli politics and the right wing, it shows that Israeli are not capable of peace at this time,but it's easier for the Israelis to blame the Palestinians. Shalit has also been used a pond,Israel has it hands tied now,they also have no choice but to release these prisoners for one captived Israeli soldier.

G.Levy is right as long as there are Palestinians Prisoners in Israeli Jail, there will always be Palestinians who will do their best to KIDNAP Israelis so as to have a SWAP of Prisoners. PM Netanyahu, should turn a new page next year to free ALL political prisoners to their families,and get their families to insure that these prisoners never go back to CRIMES again, or their imprisonment next time will be doubled. The PM should show his compassion by Freeing ALL the CHILDREN and the Women now serving jail terms. Salaam/Shalom

When you said we believe in peace, in life, in freedom, in goodness you neglected to add the significant ending: we believe in peace, in life , in freedom,in goodness on our terms without reference to the rights of anyone else, which are totally irrelevant.

Right Gedeon even giving up the state of Israel , a thing we actually do by going ahead with this deal . The result will be unsurmountable. The bigest victory for the Terrorist ever. So to prevent another humiliating defet we should free all Palestinian prisoners now. and leave this country which has no backbone. If it was my son I would even give up tel Aviv But what will we say next time and to the families which will lose children to the same terrorist in the future. ( WE HAVE NO FUTURE GEDEON ) Do you think that you might be helping towards that, I do.

of the difficult situations in Israel is of great values to the HAARETZ WORLD readers. It has always been IMMENCE PLEASURES reading yours and Amira Hass sincere, Honest, and truthful articles. Please Sir keep them windows open so that we can all appreciate the TRUTH at first hand.

'the slaughter of hebron`s jewish population took place in 1929' There have been many slaughters of innocents since then, both before and after the war for independence, most of them have not been committed by Palestinians. "the arabs are not motivated simply by nationalistic sentiments. they hate jews" If one looks at the level of anti semitism in the Arab world before the zionist enterprise, one comes to a different conclusion. In addition, I would say that many from your neck of the woods also simply hate Arabs/Muslims.

Mr Levy, if it included many many deaths you would be all for it?- that is within your "any costs" plea. As a humanitarian I find that unacceptable. I would not want the blood of many on my hands for my own life. The prisoners on that list that deserve life in prison. I do not understand why blowing up civilians gives them a righteous look in your eyes. A man is a man whether he is Jew or Arab, and life is a life.

Why reward kidnapping and terror by setting more of them free to murder again? Shalit is alive. The deal should be dead that rewards murder w/ freedom

Israel is not holding 10,000 Palestinian prisoners, these are terrorists and murderers of innocent civilians. Which country Gideon knows of that would free murderers under threat of blackmail and where will it end. Once you give in to terrorism then goodbye to democracy. wake up Gideon, you don't know what a load of rubbish you are writing

'the slaughter of hebron`s jewish population took place in 1929' There have been many slaughters of innocents since then, both before and after the war for independence, most of them have not been committed by Palestinians. "the arabs are not motivated simply by nationalistic sentiments. they hate jews" If one looks at the level of anti semitism in the Arab world before the zionist enterprise, one comes to a different conclusion. In addition, I would say that many from your neck of the woods also simply hate Arabs/Muslims.

The release of Gilad Shalit speaks to a contest of strength and vulnerability. A morbid competition between Hamas and the Israeli government. Where both sides scramble for dominance and control. But like Gideon says... this is not some Oedipus syndrome in a Shakespearean play. Or a Kafka-esque prophecy to prevent future suicide bombings. This is about the personal fate of Gilad Shalit and the Palestinian prisoners. And after ballyhooed celebrations and remorseful tears... this may actually present a situation where both side have a lot to gain.

The overwhelming majority of them will not return to terrorist activity; ?Who said that?this is not our experience from the past. anyway is our duty to bring Gilad back

Prevention? Deterrence? Hello??? I understand that there will, in addition to Palestinian terrorists, always be seriously confused individuals who cannot fathom even basic elements of logic. What I don't get is how these very same people manage to get cushy jobs writing for erstwhile respectable newspapers...

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Let it be a good gesture from the Israelis towards the Palestinians .

The Palestinians are occupied (even Sharon admitted that). It is legitimate to fight an occupation (though not with terror). Israel will naturally fight this liberation struggle since it is the occupier (including terror; torture, collective punishment, targeting civilians, etc etc). In a war both sides swap prisoners of war. Why not in this situation? Do you expect to take the occupation without resistance? Or is the difference between 'fighter' and 'civilian' very important for you? (I think it is) But why don't you give a shit about those Gaza children that died by the hundreds...('hamas is using the as human shield' is the worst kind of propaganda I can possibly think of; you kill children and blame it on them... you ever thought about soldiers in Israeli buses...is the whole bus a human shield? no it isn't and bombing them is terror, and so was the Gaza war...). Get over your moral supriority, it is base on nothing and you are just ignoring the evidence.

... i.e. to be exchanged for thousand terrorists, many with blood on their hands, so that they can, and will, go back to killing Israeli civilians. Obviously his father agrees...

Shalit lived already three years in hard conditions.To bargain more on his release is mean ,stupid and bears the stamp of the three of the more ridiculous people from Israel(excepting London and Kirshenbaum):the nullity Moshe Yalon,the scum Lieberman and the pathetic Begin.

Thanks for striking a note of reason in this otherwise sad, scared talkback. No-one envies Netanyahu in this situation, not even his worst enemy (prize contender for that crown must surely be Olmert!). And no-one envies Gil'ad's parents. Let's hope reason and courage prevail.

Actually the opposite is true. Hamas wants to have Arabs in prison to gain sympathy and this is why it sends women and children to murder innocent people and why Israel has these murderers in prison for everyone's safety. I know to you Doha murdering Jews is good deed to be rewarded and you believe in Jihad so murdering is part of your religion but Jews are different. We believe in peace, in life, in freedom, in goodness, we want Gilad free and we hate to waste our good money on feeding Arab terrorist/murderers and yet we treat them better than if they were at home with their own families.

Gideon - I`m sure you`re an intelligent person, so for your readers sake - study the history and be a little more balanced.

did you mean US independence? There is an Arab man, murdered Seattle Jewish counsel leader, a woman working in office. He shot and wounded 5 others. He walked the first trial a free man. Second trial is under way. Basically American jury believes tolerating Jewish people alive for Arabs is a task they are permitted to fail periodically for reasons of insanity. I can see how Israel's own government can side with that jury... If 12 US adults, picked at random act this way in healthy mind, than there is nothing that can guarantee government of Israel would not, too.

In fact the reverse. I was sure in the Gaza war we would take important prisoners to swap for Gilad. Important is the operative word.

You can be sure that any thing this author wants us to do is not in the interests of Israel.

What does the policy of "at any cost" mean to IDF policy and Israeli foreign policy? Does it mean that kidnap a soldier and get whatever you want...Does it also mean that civilians are in the same category since our enemy sees us as a citizen soldier? Why don't we shut down the Al Aqsa Mosque until he is released? This would place the issue squarely in the place it needs to be...not behind closed door politics that will cost lives and land later on

A country cannot stop to breath, work,etc'- anything but only Shalit, shalit, Shalit! And don't tell me what would you do if your son would be on the same situation? Ah, yeah? And what would yo do when a new soldier or citizen will be hijaked after Shalit's release? Where would you hide yourself with all the "Releasniks Now at all costs"? Shalit at least is alive, and he will be alive because he is an asset for Hamas. What about the thousands of children who were killed by the same murderers you want to free? Aren't you ashame to do such a depictable thing! And what about the next murderers? Should we capture them knowing they will be released one day because of you - or should we kill them even if they surrender?

Israel has few victim cards to play before world opinion and Shalit is one of them. From a PR point of view, a Shalit release is bad news. It would close that file and deprive israeli of good hasbara. all the while over 10,000 Palestinians, including women and children, remain as hostages in Israel.

If only we did not have prisoners Hamas wouldn't capture soldiers to trade for them... so we should let them go? WHAT?? Does this sound completely ridiculous to anyone else??

Stop this "Women and children" emotive reaction. That's what pushes these pure souls to turn to terrorism: because they know they have nothing to fear: they're "saint'. Any cost? No, my friend, Hamas activities and activitst number will rise and Fatah's and moderate's popularity will fall. Is that really what you want? I shall blame the deaths of my people on your person, Mr. Levy. As a levite, you should protect God's name and will, not go against it.

Gideon Levy is an honest man who realy pointed out the cause of all problems, i really wonder if any wise isrealis are out there, the solution is very simple and the isrealis know that, just end the occupation an things will stop, as an arab i assure you that peace will prevai. thanks for the article

There was Palestinian 'terror' before 1967, indeed. But do all my Israeli friends here in comments forget that there was Jewish/Israeli 'terror' as well? Why not forget Hebron in 1929, but collectively wipe our mind and conscience over Deir Yassin in 1948? It's is appolling to see his endless blaming of the other side. Gideon Levy is right: give peace a chance. Or remain living in a mostly self-created terror reality and by doing so showing the rest of the world the other side of the so-praised Jewish norms and values. The choice is yours.

Gideon Levy is dead wrong. It's hard to believe to what extent wishful thinking can replace, in some people, the abilities of elementary logical analysis.

There is nothing in the historical record to indicate that Arab hatred of Israel and a Jewish home, that predates the state of Israel, let alone the 1967 war (and by many decades, including collaboration with Nazi Germany) will mysteriously vanish once Israel agrees to this or that package of concessions. And, obviously, Arab hostilities and Palestinian rejectionism predated the capture of security prisoners.

"The overwhelming majority of them will not return to terrorist activity" Do you actually believe this? And how do you know there won't be any re-occurrence of terrorist activities? Gut feel? "Yes, there will be more and more terrorists in the future, with or without the hundreds of released prisoners, if the occupation and abuse of the Palestinian people continues." Do you even bother to acknowledge the fact that before 1967, before the "occupation", there were plenty of terrorists acts against the State of Israel? What makes 1967 some kind of magical year, that if only things went back to 1967 borders, everything would be hunky dorry? Gideon - I'm sure you're an intelligent person, so for your readers sake - study the history and be a little more balanced. Israel had plenty of enemies before 1967 who wanted to eliminate it - what makes you think this time it's different?

The Gaza Strip is watching to see what lessons to take from Israel's decision. Will it be profitable to capture more prisoners for lopsided exchange? How can they get the upper hand? One way to get to win-win is to negotiate a lower number for the exchange. Then, when Hamas will makes that number very public as proof of success of its strategy, release many more than this as an Israeli commitment toward peace. Only then can Israel take credit for the release, not Hamas. This also gives Israel another bargaining chip toward the future. Israel has demonstrated a visible move toward peace in good faith, and now it is Hamas' turn to demonstrate its own commitment to peace or turn back again toward endless violence. The world waits for an answer.

"The Jews Became Violent before 1948 Aswell Hrmm!" And the Arabs became violent before the Jews. They were violent to the Jews for about 17 years before the Jews started fighting back. "Illegal Mass Immigration into Israel" Bull. It was simple immigration. Why don't you go out and start murdering immigrants into your country and see how far that gets you in a lawful society.

"the palestinians will do everything they can do to capture more soldiers..." of levy's entire pro-palestinian propaganda piece, this is the only truth he wrote. the arabs have been engaging in acts of terror since before the war of independence. the slaughter of hebron's jewish population took place in 1929. the arabs are not motivated simply by nationalistic sentiments. they hate jews. the recent murders in yemen among the few hundred jewish residents remaining out of tens of thousands prove this. the arab antisemitic incitements in press also prove this.

Yes, just go back to the 67 borders, evict all the settlers. Give the Palestenians a reasonable chunk of land -- contiguous, not chopped up into a bunch of pieces by and holed out by Israeli settler enclaves. And then build a big, impenetrable wall. Let the Palestenians create a robust, powerful police force. If you do that, nobody in the world will hold it against you if you use your American F-14s to bomb Palestenian locations that launch those little rockets at you.

Gideon - you do not mean any price when you say it - I am not sure where I stand exactly, I want him back, plain and simple, but if it remans releasing 1,000 terrorists many who have murdered before and will murder again, strengthening Hamas, putting us at risk, then we are trading the lives of many other sons and daughters of Israel for Gilad. How is that ok? What if it was you that G-d forbid have to give up your life? Your family? Your friends? One of the rest of us? I mostly feel a military option, no matter the risk, is what needs to be done to get him back.

Illegal Mass Immigration into Israel with the help from Zionists agitated the Post-Ottoman Arabs, they knew they're lands would be dispossessed. That is what lead to the riots. There is no such thing as the Arab-Violent-Mindset.

Are you a mad man?

G.levy quote "The overwhelming majority of them will not return to terrorist activity; " Implying some terrorist will return to terrorist activity . Consequently Israel's security is part of the deal , contrary to G.Levy claim quote " This is the only issue on the agenda, not Israel's security or its sovereignty. " Subsequently the consideration of expulsion that hamas oppose . Terrorists arabs prisonners liberty is on the hamas court . As for "the entire "Palestinian nation's" liberty " issue , it's a OIC-Arab League internal issue that has nothing to do with Israel's sovereignty issue , But is thrown at Israel's and the west even Russia doorsteps . Why ? It could be that the moslem-arab culture necessite dictator reign , something that the overwhelming of the moslem-arab masses accept and the OIC-Arab League dictators understand but reject foreign interference on such matter of sovereignty .

The headline is arresting -- "At Any Cost" -- really? -- hyperbole perhaps, but the opinion expressed in the article is even more shocking. This is a straightforward justification for murder. In Levy's view, Gilad's captivity and the imprisonment of Palestinians in Israeli jails derive from the same underlying cause: the "occupation." No occupation, no murder, no murder, no imprisonment etc. This simple syllogism justifies murder. One can express sympathy with Palestinian aspirations without justifying the release of violent criminals.

Mr. Levy- are you making the assumption that peaceful actions on the part of Israel will be met by comparable peaceful actions by the Palestinians? Isn't this the crux of the problem? If Israel were to make a positive gesture towards peace, ie definitively stopping illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank, would not Israel deserve a reciprocal positive gesture of substance from the Palestinians?

After all, that seems to be the focus of your interest. "It is no coincidence that only the Palestinian prisoners' families have expressed hope for Shalit's release, beside the hope for their own sons' release. How distressing that we hear no similar sentiment from anyone on our side, not even the Shalit family." How dare you! Are you actually Israeli? You seem to have no understanding of how we have reached this point. Moreover, where are the Palestinian peace groups to match the Israeli pro peace groups? Keeping silent no doubt because they know the tiny minority they are in, and the way any sort of human sentiment towards Israelis is rewarded. Your absurd sentiments should be kept to yourself. They will be interpreted as weakness, making you part of the problem.

Because Israel knowingly redeemed the bones of Goldwasser and Regeve at great cost. Olmert was a man of no consequence. No substance. He failed to save Shalit with his invasion called Summer Rains. He failed to prevent the abduction of Goldwasser and Regev after Shalit had been abducted. Israel has no policy about captives. NO government of Israel - including the current one which refuses to redeem Shalit - has had the moral courage to tell the world 'no Israeli will be redeemed, they must rot in hell forever or die. It is a FACT that Netanyahu lacks this moral fiber. Otherwise Noam would have welcomed Gilad home many months ago. I can understand cowardice. I cannot understand a coward who leaves a human being in hell because he lacks the courage to do the decent thing. Neither Olmert or Netanahu had the courage to do the decent thing.

1) "Palestinian" is the Romanization of "Philistine" which is an Anglicization of "Palishtiy," which means "immigrant." These folks, terrorist or not, are Arabs, but I find it ironic that they chose to call themselves "immigrant." Why is that? 2) Israel occupying or oppressing these Arabs? Sheesh, they're the ones offering to help these people support themselves and the only thanks they ever get is rockets and bombs and vitriol and anger and slurs. Some of these Moslems saying "Thanks for the help" on occasion can go a long way to extending peace.

Shalit should be freed no matter how high the cost. Palestinians and Israelis must learn to accept the humanity of the other as equal. That pertains to prisoners who are not murderers, rapists, or other truly dangerous criminals. In those cases it must be on a case by case basis when they can be paroled. For the sake of this trade some of those norms may need to be challenged. Shalit is all of our sons and daughters who serve and served in the IDF including mine. If it was my child being held I would go to the ends of the earth to free him and as Jews that's what we need to do for Gilad. I am sure many Palestinians feel exactly the same way about their sons and daughters in Israeli prisons. We should meet as equals and do the right thing for once.

That is just one fault of your logic Fact - Israelis have been killed by terrorists released in swaps. Releasing terrorists is not just the lives of Shalit and Palestinian prisoners. Many of these Palestinian 'political prisoners' are children and women caught with pipe bombs or trying to stab gaurds at checkpoints. Political my ass. It is difficult to feel bad for Palestinian prisoners watching tvs in jail and communicating with the world and red cross, when no one even knows how Shalit has been treated. As you say yourself, releasing them accomplishes nothing positive until a final solution of Palestinian nationhood. At such a time, a deal should be worked out. Your black and white view is simplistic and naive, just like the Oslo accords and the 'peace' dreams that led to intifadas.

Gideon; do myou think they are in prison for fun or israel have lot of money to spend on them? what do you think they are in prison? tell me.

perhaps true that the occupation of the Palestinians was the infrastructure which bred terrorists however, the Palestinians of the PA have decided long ago to negotiate with Israel and renounced use of violence. Would it not be an appropriate time with the release of Shalit and release of 1000 Palestinians, for Hamas and the other factions to agree to President Abbas's stance towards using diplomacy in achieving coexistence?

Were there prisoners held BEFORE the terrorism started, or as a product of the terrorist attacks? Did Pearl Harbor cause Hiroshima or vis a versa. The terrorists attacked before Israel had prisoners, what was the reason then? Richard Roberts

When will this author just call it a day! Bleating on and on about poor Palestinian prisoners...and not a word about poor Shalit not seeing family and Red Cross all these years... Is anyone else as tired of this BS as I am? will this author just leave already!

"...if the occupation and abuse of the Palestinian people continues." That's where I stopped reading. This kind of article only fuels the intefadeh and violence against Israel. Shame on you.

What makes you say that, Gideon?

BEFORE the state of Israel Before the IDF Before there were Zionists.

Lie Gideon...Lie...if Israel didn't hold any prisoners the arabs would continue to capture Israelis..they will continue to do whatever it takes to undo the State of Israel. Let's tell the truth though it burn your leftist/marxist lips. The endgame of the arabs is the annihilation of Israel-let's be straight with that. i'm sure that you have some other place to flee to if that day comes? The US perhaps? You'll have no problem getting work in the state controlled media there.

Gideon levy seems to believe that Palestinian Terrorism started in 1967, after the beginning of the "occupation"...He seems to forget the The 1920 Palestine riots,The 1929 Palestine riots and massacre of Jews in Hebron, the 1936 riots, resulting in the deaths of 415 Jews,the 1947-48 war, the fedayeen attacks of the 1950's and the 1956 war...all which were a result of the "occupied lands of 1967" ....Gideon, get out of Shenkin street and meet some real Palestinian Arabs for a change..Just ask them if they sincerely believe that they can live next to a Jewish State .They will tell you the truth..

Are you that naive? No prisoners to swap, they will demand that Israel be moved out of the region. What are you motivated by?