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Horrible Deal

Reader comment on item: Gilad Shalit and Doing Business with Terrorists

Submitted by Dave Gerber (United States), Oct 21, 2011 at 13:54

Horrible Deal – The Dangerous, Disproportionate Prisoner Swap

By Dave Gerber

I am very, very sorry. I cannot now, and hope to never have to experience the pain Gilad's family has experienced from the day he was taken. I cannot imagine it and I know that it would drive me, quite possibly, insane. Nothing I share in the following piece is intended to diminish this pain as it must be beyond any threshold we as parents thought we could endure, and then some. I'm also sorry if Gilad Shalit's family feels any added pain upon reading this, as it is not a personal statement about their son; we can substitute any soldier's name and my feelings would be the same.

I am also cognizant of the fact that some critics of my opinions may say "you never served in the military, what do you know?" or "You don't live in Israel, how can you understand?" I respect those perspectives as well. That said, I have spent a lot of time around military personal and my respect for what they do actually reinforces my opinion. I suspect that many service members in all branches of the military would agree with my view point.

There are so many reasons why this prisoner exchange deal is wrong. Supporters of the deal believe they own the "trump card" to the vast number of reasons why exchanging murderous prisoners for one soldier is the right thing to do. But, it's not. There is no "trump card." There is also no denying the deep love of life we, as Jews, have for all people, particularly other Jews. This feeling is real and it does not supersede the rational, logical considerations and the very real, daily pain of thousands of individuals that deal every day with the same pain the Gilad's knew. There are too many reasons why this deal was a huge mistake, for the short and long term interests, goals and lives of Jews in Israel and globally, where terrorism has been franchised - seemingly everywhere.

Regrettably, Arabs around the world are surely laughing. An "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" outlook supports their view that they got 1,027 human beings for just the price of one. This grossly imbalanced ratio further empowers and emboldens them. Unfortunately for them and Arabs around the world, these terrorists who kidnapped Gilad failed to realize that their near term victory with this prisoner exchange is merely an event. The ratio and value of life they defined for Arabs and agreed to is amazing and could have disastrous effects down the road.

Essentially, Palestinians and Arabs have determined their own value. Their agreement highlights their own internal believe that it takes 1,027 Palestinians to equal the value of one Jew. While many people may have agreed with that in their own mind before this situation, the owners of this deal have publicly acknowledged it and negotiated based on it. They are in fact, admitting to a devalued culture, populated with devalued "humans."

In the case of prisoners, when you add up low life, terrorist, 14th century thinking cancerous criminals you can never get to one, no matter you add, subtract, multiple or divide. Adding 1,027 zeros still equals zero. Even by their new math, you still cannot ethically exchange 1,027 Palestinian murderers and criminals for one, human, soldier or not. This ratio has been solidified by Palestinian Arab leadership and supported by thousands who danced in the streets. [a discussion for another time, but…does this mean that in the future, if an Arab kills a Jew, Israel has the right to kill 1,027 Arabs? This now becomes a reasonable argument, based upon the rules PA leadership has designed.] Whichever your opinion, none of it discounts the pain of those touched by their non-civilized behaviors that resulted in their jailing in the first place.

It is not right to trade one life for a 1,027 for many reasons. Any one of these reasons could stand independently as the sole reason why it was a bad deal. When you add up all of them, it reinforces the belief this is wrong in massive proportions. One of those stand-alone reasons is the amount of pain each family member and friend has to now endure because of these killers. Whatever the society, opening the doors to release known killers, terrorists and murders that have the motive and intention to kill again, reinforces the pain like a dagger to the heart. How can we deny this pain and not see it, individually or collectively, as well beyond the 1027:1 ratio the government is willing to accept?

Accepting a policy of having soldiers taken and eventually returned after blackmail only reinforces terrorist's desire to kidnap more often. In fact, before the exchange has taken place, Palestinian Hamas leadership has already stated they plan to take more soldiers. Part of their strategic plan is to kidnap with the intention of returning the other 5,000 murderers, terrorists and criminals still held in prison. This deal has opened the door to their policy and invited them in. This, by itself, supports the notion that this deal is, well, at the very least, ignorant.

It's probably safe to assume that most of the terrorists and prisoners who are being released aren't that bright, though they are probably fine as 'trainees.' How long did they sit in prison, planning for the day they could get back, chomping at the bit, ready to get new tools and skills to kill and murder and torment, again? How does putting 1,027 terrorist and criminal trainees back on the streets help Israeli society? Some of those 1,027 will become so good at their craft, they will become future trainers and the numbers of evil people with new skills will move forward sporadically, exponentially.

The opposite of helpless is emboldened. That is exactly what this deal does for Iran, which has franchised its terrorist, anti-civilized, prehistoric, way of thinking and behaving to the Gaza strip. This deal will support Iran's desire to send more specialists on kidnapping to that region and help the terrorists, currently there, further develop their guerilla style tactics. Hamas, Hezbollah, and all the rest of these homicidal gangs will all glean the best practices of these dirty tactics and have more trained couriers to spread the message and share the resources.

Some questions to consider: How much money is being spent to transfer these murderers and prisoners? How much will have to be spent to reinforce the deal after it happens? How much money was spent and will continue to be spent trying to create and sustain security procedures that prevent a negative impact from the direct or indirect actions or teachings from these prisoners? How much money, time, thought and other resources will be drained or reallocated to deal with the immediate and future impact of this release with respect to security concerns? Have there been any documented promises and exponential consequences if future terror of any kind is created by those let out? And a last, often overlooked essential question - Doesn't this "deal" fly in the face of the very pillars of why societies punish wrong-doers?

The four main reasons a society punishes are: rehabilitation, retribution, as a punitive measure and prevention. Clearly, there was and is no desire to rehabilitate any of these prisoners.

The second is retribution, to retaliate at the person who commits a crime. Clearly, in all cultures, there is the desire to get back at the guilty. In Arab cultures and some others we often see this justified as "honor" killings. The honor of having a murderer in your family is better and somehow overcomes the self and society-imposed shame of having a relative that was a victim?

The third reason is to be punitive, to cause pain and suffering by removing freedom. Because Jews are civilized, they do not commit hatred-filled, violent, vile acts on prisoners…therefore, the only real punishment is taking away freedom to the outside world. By letting these 1,027 go, the "powers that be" have decided that a totally unrelated, unequal and disproportionate situation involving one life should take the place of punishing people and taking their freedom as a result of barbarous acts they committed on fellow Jews resulting in the death, destruction and pain of thousands.

Finally, the last reason societies punish is prevention. If they are in prison, they are prevented from murdering, plotting, helping to hurt Jews (and Christians – wake up). If you let them go and they are motivated and can carry out any intentions of hurting more innocents. How do we prevent future violence and the subsequent, cyclical (retributive) and justified retaliatory strikes of various kinds? We can't.

Returning to terror is exactly what many of these terrorists and thugs are planning to do when they get out. No one should be certain that their violence will be contained and Israel may not be their only target. The U.S. government was opposed to many of the individuals named on this list, seemingly because it increases the likelihood that a newly released bad guy might take his anger out on American soldiers or US interests. This is another reason this deal is bad. By unilaterally making this deal and discounting the needs and interests of the United States, Israel has potentially damaged a long history of trust with the one country that stands up for Israel's survival, right to exist and is a tremendous source of help to fend of the "bad guys." This could have been an opportunity for Israel to at least listen to people with vested interests as significant stakeholders in the success of the global war on terror. The United States has spent billions of dollars to track down terrorists and criminals like this and now with one motion, Israel has opened one of the floodgates of evil. This doesn't serve to advance the global society and its security or financial interests.

Global stakeholders may look on with now an even more warped perception and misunderstanding of Jews. This approach reinforces our willingness to accept lopsided deals and may increase expectations from the global community that Israel accept less and forfeit more of its needs to have a long-sought "peace." This is also about perception. This bad deal does not reinforce positive thoughts about Jews within the global community, it reinforces thoughts of weakness. To some that consider the deal irrational, it reinforces feelings that Jews are not of a sane mind. That thought makes it easier to scapegoat, stereotype, think, act and support anti-Semitism. Additionally, as the United Nations moves forward towards making a decision on statehood for the Palestinian people and provide a home for other terrorists, this deal may embolden UN leaders and help them to rationalize their thinking, dismiss their common sense and jettison any empathy for the Jewish State.

With all of these arguments laid out, some would say it is even easier that I have made it all sound. Let us conclude with the consideration many writers might have started with; Gilad Schalit, is a soldier. Soldiers understand sacrifice. Many understand that sometimes one must sacrifice to save and/or protect many. He knew that as a part of his duties, these horrible circumstances were a possibility. Some would argue that the difference between a compulsory service versus a volunteer force makes a difference on the responsibility a government has to protect their soldiers. There is something to this argument.

That said, however, Israel, as a society has culturally embraced the belief the service to country is a fundamental principle for all Israelis. With this acceptance, each individual knows growing up that this societal value needs to be a personal value and that positive sacrifice of the one – similar to the requirements for survival in the Holocaust and subsequent wars , it is the highest of values to sacrifice while protecting the many. All people need to ask themselves about the value of their own life. While some may say government values need not be personal values, I ask if they live in a country where their long term survival is questionable. If the laws need to be changed, then it must be taken up in court. Until then, these values cannot support trading 1,027 murderers, criminals and terrorists for one soldier.

There is no trump card. Letting out terrorists to kill more Jews is not something that can ever be trumped. Letting these 1,027 terrorist, murders and convicts experience freedom again, if nothing more, cannot be trumped. The pain that victims feel every day and that will now be intensified as a result of this 'deal,' cannot be trumped. Will the victims be remembered; relatives and friends pain recognized; or will this massive, disproportionate exchange damage Jews from within? While this is an ongoing essential question Israel must address, this was a bad deal. Not for one reason alone, but for many, many reasons.

Submitting....

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Reader comments (94) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
tracking devices [35 words]steve omaraNov 25, 2011 13:31191176
update relations with Egypt [65 words]Gary JosephsonOct 29, 2011 20:50190503
7How about the Irish option? [69 words]MalcolmOct 25, 2011 05:15190353
The Irish method is only good in Ireland [91 words]NadiaApr 16, 2017 14:41190353
8WHAT LOOKS LIKE A TACTICAL MISTAKE IS A GOOD STRATEGIC MOVE [567 words]SGAN LEVIOct 24, 2011 01:08190327
Protecting Shame [120 words]Jay1Oct 23, 2011 20:47190321
1Cook the Frog slowly [430 words]AShOct 23, 2011 07:44190303
1At least the Quartet remained silent. Progress! [41 words]Robert W.Oct 23, 2011 03:34190299
1Doing Business with terrorists [22 words]Daniel WangOct 22, 2011 21:21190296
As One dimensional, as concrete, and as slogan-istic " revengeless" as possible! Who needs More? [241 words]AshOct 23, 2011 08:14190296
1Death penalty for some murderers [71 words]SM ISACOct 22, 2011 13:40190281
They have us by our !@#$% [128 words]car313Oct 22, 2011 10:09190279
1Horrible Deal [2164 words]Dave GerberOct 21, 2011 13:54190249
Shame and Deal [34 words]Jay1Oct 26, 2011 18:15190249
1The Return of Gilad Schalit [106 words]Nathan RosenblattOct 20, 2011 21:09190214
The Media [202 words]Mike KurtzigOct 21, 2011 20:16190214
We are an amoral society [77 words]Bev RosoffOct 22, 2011 14:52190214
1no next time [109 words]Glenda UrmacherOct 23, 2011 00:36190214
1pride, not shame! [117 words]ahuva kapon, IsraelOct 20, 2011 17:03190204
Doing Business With Terrorists [404 words]Renee BouvierOct 20, 2011 17:28190204
A Different Spin [97 words]Barry BlackOct 20, 2011 16:52190203
Of Course you are right; of course you are wrong [76 words]john w mcginleyOct 20, 2011 16:45190201
1a question: why did the govft. of Israel (GOI) accept this deal NOW? [423 words]aryeh berkovichOct 20, 2011 12:59190193
1Hapiness borders insanity [203 words]NuritGOct 19, 2011 19:13190177
Making Maximalist Demands [402 words]Renee BouvierOct 20, 2011 17:21190177
Up to Israel to do what is good for her [416 words]NuritGOct 20, 2011 21:23190177
Shalit Release [82 words]samOct 19, 2011 16:51190175
12Doing Selective Business with Terrorists [157 words]Michael Hanni MorcosOct 19, 2011 09:51190171
2Another approach to freeing Shalit [8 words]KafirmanOct 19, 2011 08:45190170
1Killing NO. Settlement and annexation? a different view [110 words]AshOct 23, 2011 08:31190170
1Forsaking principle and common sense [127 words]Albert EdelsonOct 19, 2011 08:02190169
IDF is not measured against the number of its enemies [127 words]mythOct 21, 2011 03:59190169
4Symbolism of Shalit's swap [18 words]Ben HaggaiOct 19, 2011 06:36190168
Lawfare Questions: WIll the US Seek Extradition? [97 words]PezDispenserOct 19, 2011 04:52190163
2the gilad schalit exchange [144 words]michael talOct 19, 2011 04:47190162
1Whose Shame/. [74 words]HarryOct 19, 2011 03:56190161
2Did you impply that Israel should not have made the 1 to 1000 exchange? [262 words]PrashantOct 19, 2011 02:35190160
3Shame on them? [375 words]Ron GerskupOct 19, 2011 01:50190159
Shame on them? [55 words]Ron GerskupOct 20, 2011 01:56190159
Prisoner swap [52 words]niyazOct 19, 2011 01:23190158
1Questions for Niyaz [103 words]PrashantOct 20, 2011 22:09190158
2Asking the hyenas to go vegetarian [172 words]car313Oct 26, 2011 14:16190158
1tracking terror [20 words]jerome HenenOct 19, 2011 00:21190155
4double bind [205 words]Nora AOct 18, 2011 22:28190152
What about Jimmy [69 words]Michael KurtzigOct 20, 2011 15:24190152
yech Jimmy Carter [30 words]Nora AOct 20, 2011 22:01190152
Jimmy [66 words]Mike the KOct 21, 2011 20:06190152
4Shalit Exchange Benefits Israel [200 words]Dan RusenOct 18, 2011 21:43190150
I agree Dan, it only benefits Israel and saves lots of money [284 words]NadiaApr 15, 2017 19:59190150
1Wonderland [36 words]D. KrabbenhoftOct 18, 2011 21:32190149
2Right on! [83 words]Ralph C Whaley MDOct 18, 2011 20:15190146
1My Letter in the Jerusalem Post on this [109 words]jdOct 18, 2011 20:03190144
No Trade. [27 words]Dennis WojciakOct 18, 2011 19:54190143
51 Shalit = 1000 Palestinians? HA HA [202 words]Pied PiperOct 18, 2011 19:45190142
3וְשָׁבוּ בָנִים, לִגְבוּלָם [11 words]SHOSHOct 18, 2011 19:21190139
shalit [35 words]louis françois abba shalomOct 18, 2011 19:11190137
The prisoner swap is a disaster [45 words]MEContrarianOct 18, 2011 19:02190136
1Idiocy [15 words]KerryOct 18, 2011 18:55190135
3Real Mathematics [80 words]Sudad JawadOct 18, 2011 18:19190133
Glad to see him free... BUT [55 words]Abu NudnikOct 18, 2011 18:07190131
2Microchip The 477 [47 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
jrpeacherOct 18, 2011 17:56190130
2fiction or fact [81 words]Jules PostenOct 24, 2011 14:22190130
2You can't bring the dead back. [20 words]AbeOct 18, 2011 17:48190129
7Nobody wins [118 words]Rebecca MouldsOct 18, 2011 17:30190126
8Rebecca, I have to contest your comments [277 words]saraOct 18, 2011 17:40190126
1A difference of opinion [74 words]Rebecca MouldsOct 18, 2011 18:55190126
1A very sad day for Israel [50 words]patriciaOct 18, 2011 19:21190126
1Negotiating a Peaceful Solution in the Face of Hostility [181 words]M. ToveyOct 18, 2011 19:29190126
2How Much is one Jewish life worth? [30 words]Mark HardingOct 18, 2011 21:10190126
The US Marines, Talmud, History & the future [195 words]Gary JosephsonOct 19, 2011 12:57190126
politicial stupidity [95 words]rodney allsworthOct 18, 2011 17:21190125
the koran as I understand it [463 words]Gary JosephsonOct 20, 2011 17:33190125
6Sanctity of life vs. Sharia and life [81 words]Michael Hanni MorcosOct 18, 2011 17:13190124
1Re: Gilad Shalit's Release [90 words]Linda Ann LongOct 18, 2011 17:11190123
1A Great day but a sad day [34 words]peterOct 18, 2011 17:09190121
6Disagreeing with you [206 words]Philippe LavieOct 18, 2011 17:09190120
1Right thing to do [82 words]MarkOct 19, 2011 18:32190120
3Gilad had a right to be saved [64 words]joshuaOct 18, 2011 17:05190119
Comfort to soldiers [137 words]Josh GOct 19, 2011 05:29190119
1How will they justify [42 words]SteveOct 18, 2011 17:04190118
2Thousands of terrorists freed [31 words]zacOct 18, 2011 17:03190117
1Had to be done [16 words]iggyOct 18, 2011 17:01190116
Michael Kurtzig [105 words]Mike the KOct 18, 2011 19:30190116
3Gilad's release had to be, despite the awful implications [172 words]saraOct 18, 2011 16:57190115
yes, but.... [72 words]Nora AOct 18, 2011 22:34190115
5NO Shame, yes Pride! [161 words]reuven OfirOct 18, 2011 16:52190114
The real danger [55 words]Josh GOct 19, 2011 05:23190114
3You don't understand the Basic Jewish and Israel Values [270 words]Joe ZivOct 19, 2011 06:20190114
Arabs Play Hardball & Jews Play Softball [4 words]Dan FriedmanOct 18, 2011 16:51190113
Perhaps [3 words]Abu NudnikOct 18, 2011 18:08190113
3Shait bless you & and may there not be any more Shalits (although I'm afraid it's inevitable) [78 words]LeeOct 18, 2011 16:38190112
Shalit, bless you...may there be no more Shalits [86 words]elated&sadOct 18, 2011 16:31190111
2"deal" [more accurately termed capitulation] a great argument for capital punishment; questions [113 words]RobOct 18, 2011 16:29190110
1Make Sure there's no Next Time [81 words]Benj PollockOct 18, 2011 17:43190110

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