Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit
"The only way not to find ourselves facing such conflicts is to prevent abductions through any way or means possible."Gilad Shalit has to return home, period. This is an ultimate formula that does not come with any buts, maybes, or conditions. Do we even have to talk about it too much? Is there a more difficult, cruel, and impossible fate than the fate of a captive at the hands of the enemy?
This is not only a humane question; it is a basic principled position that a state and its government must stand behind with no reservations, regardless of the price - and it seems that one way or another, it will not be a low price.
The other side, naturally, will attempt to maximize the benefits of such "transaction." This does not mean we must immediately comply with all its demands, but at the end of the day, Israel cannot end this move without Shalit returning. Arguments that show reservations to this unequivocal stance, as if "such move would encourage other abductions" or "the murderers will go back to terrorism" are at the moment akin to spilled milk. Even if they must not be taken lightly, their weight at the moment is smaller than the duty to secure Shalit’s release as soon as possible. Read more>>