generalspeaking

Miserable Prospect

What other country on the face of this Earth confronts a dilemma of these proportions? To rescue one single, sadly-compromised member of their society they assent to delivering back to active duty hundreds of potential murderers. That's one tough decision. Not a very sound one, truth to tell. But an understandable one, where a country is loathe to surrender the life of one single citizen, even if heroic measures are required to bring him safely home.

The State of Israel stands on the verge of gifting Hamas, the terror group committed to Israel's destruction, with a victory. With that 'victory' will come an enhanced prestige for this jihadist group, gifting it with even greater popularity among Palestinians. Who require little assistance in their collective desire to act decisively to cripple the state and the people whom they accuse of cheating them of their heritage.

Of course this is a two-way street; it is also the heritage of the Jewish people who are, in actuality the original Palestinians. It might seem like common sense to partition a piece of geography to grant each protagonist an equal share where they may settle themselves in peace and harmony, as contiguous and equal and sovereign states. That they will not live in peace and harmony, but as disgruntled neighbours speaks to the need for separation.

Peace at almost any cost; release of a single prisoner of Hamas at almost any cost. The legitimate state countering a potential state's arguments for surrender to them of what the legitimate state holds as its most dear possessions on the one hand, as its most desperate need to control, on the other. An ostensible peace in exchange for the country's most cherished and sacred historical capital.

And not to forget territory as well, absorbed through the conquest of effectively challenging a combined Arab military intent on demolishing the state. And just incidentally, accepting the 'return' of millions of former residents of the area whose ancestors fled, became world-class refugees content to wait out the century and increase in numbers until they might return and dilute the population of Israel, cleverly restoring it to its original status.

Now there's yet another exchange. One to which Palestinians feel eminently entitled, despite its lopsided balance. Is there balance, moderation, justice in the exchange of one young man, nineteen years of age at his capture, for the release of a thousand prisoners languishing in incarceration as penalty for their attempts to destroy the state, many for multiple murders?

"I think that it's a huge dilemma because we know that many of these terrorists have not repented and have not been rehabilitated, which means they are a huge threat. There are only two answers to that: Israel either doesn't release them or if it does, release them in such a way that it can still protect itself. That's the struggle that the Israeli cabinet is facing." Which explains why Israel insists that some of the released must go into exile.

For to release convicted criminals who have committed atrocities including some of whom who make no secret of the fact that they will return to their activities, is to clearly endanger the country and its citizens further. In which case,what will have been gained by securing the release of Sergeant Gilad Shalit at the price of releasing hundreds of convicted terrorists?

Israel is deeply divided; on the one hand the majority of the population is anxious to retrieve Sgt. Shalit, to have him released from his four-years-long captivity. On the other, an equal majority resists the release of prisoners 'with blood on their hands'. A Hamas spokesman blamed "Israeli divisions" for the delay in securing the deal for St. Shalit's release.

"The scene that took place yesterday inside the Israeli government is proof that Israel is responsible for hindering and delaying the prisoner exchange agreement", according to a Hamas spokesperson who said further that Hamas is intent on sticking to its conditions, including the release of several top Hamas commanders responsible for the deaths of dozens of Israelis.

The incredible level of casual entitlement to the exchange of one thousand prisoners for one Israeli soldier speaks volumes to the vast divide between the values and mindsets of the two solitudes. Israel's prime minister has informed the German negotiator that it insists one hundred terrorists must be deported before the agreement can be finalized. Qatar and several European countries have agreed to accept several dozen of the released.

For their part, Hamas officials will not countenance deportations. Even if the deportations represent Gaza accepting the released prisoners, rather than having them return to the West Bank. Hamas's final response will come from its Syrian-based leader. Israeli intelligence officials have given warning that permitting those with blood on their hands to return to the West Bank would have the potential of leaving the lives of Israelis in danger.

Since it is fact that some terrorists who were released in previous such deals have since murdered nearly 180 Israelis. They had given their word that they would no longer involve themselves in acts of terror.

Labels: Israel, Political Realities, Terrorism

posted by Pieface @ Wednesday, December 23, 2009