Re:prisoner swap

Submitted by Cheryl Pine (United States), Feb 7, 2004 at 16:50

As usual, your articles provide a diverse range of quotations which are right on the mark. You aptly explained why the prisoner swap was not beneficial and indeed potentially dangerous for Israel. Much of the explanation focused on how the number of prisoners swapped was disproportionate.

However, I was most persuaded by Sharon's statement that the swap was undertaken to ameliorate the pain of the Israeli soldiers' families who can now properly bury their beloved children. By its actions the government demonstrates that it has a responsibility for its citizens and particularly for those whose lives are endangered while protecting the State of Israel. When mere numbers are considered, Israel almost always is at a disadvantage in relation to her neighbors and her enemies. Israel is one state against many, with far fewer citizens and far fewer natural resources. Obviously, the prisoner swap was not objectively beneficial to Israel, yet it may have been the right thing for a government to do for its citizens.

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