There is no Jewish heart that does not tremble with excitement at the sight of the kidnapped returning from the cruel captivity and meeting their families. They went through a hell of more than five hundred days, at the hands of the monsters of evil. Of course, we all pray for the return of all the kidnapped alive and for the dead to be brought to the grave of Israel.
However, we must not forget for a moment that the 'price' is terrible, and we must draw the necessary conclusions so that we will not face such situations again. It is a bloody 'price', for which, if steps are not taken that were not taken in the past, many Jews will pay with their lives, God forbid.
We do not now know their names and ages, just as we did not know during the deal to release Gilad Shalit the names of some two thousand Jews who were murdered by the terrorist leader Sinwar, whom we released from prison.
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Immoral
And the moral aspect is also of great importance. Several times, after horrific attacks, the heads of state have declared that "our long arm will catch up with the murderers" and that none of them "will be spared." Well, our long arm caught up with them, they were imprisoned and sentenced to life imprisonment. And now they are being released, to the cheers of their brothers, who support the murder of Jews like them.
What is the message? That Jewish blood is infallible.
When the names of the murderers who are about to be released are published, the media interviews their victims, and tries to extract from them supposedly noble statements, such as that they are willing to agree to the release of the murderers of their loved ones in order to free the kidnapped. Again and again, this is presented as an emotional matter, related to the families of the victims of terrorism.
And it is not. This is a matter that concerns every Jew. The essential and fundamental question is how to treat the murderers of Jews, the slaughterers of the elderly, women and children. The truth is that they should have been executed, but even if for one reason or another they are not, it is impossible for them to wait for the next kidnapping, so that they can be set free. This is clearly immoral and a contempt for Jewish life.
The distortion is also in referring to the murderers as 'prisoners.' The repeated use of this term is misleading. These are not prisoners, but cruel terrorists, despicable murderers, scum of humanity. And those who pay salaries to their families and fight for their release are no less vile scoundrels than they are.
There is a choice.
We are told that there is no choice, because the hostages must be rescued from hell. Why is it that the only way you know is to surrender to the murderous terrorist organizations? If there is no choice, why not stop the humanitarian aid and the flow of fuel? Yes, there will be pressure from the world and crocodile tears shed for the poor 'civilians,' but we had to say firmly that the key is in Hamas' hands. We want humanitarian aid – that all the hostages be released immediately.
We have seen how US President Trump spoke, and how this style worked wonders. This is the only way we must speak to these cruel enemies. We must make it clear through actions that kidnappings will achieve nothing, but will lead to a disproportionate response, which will make the terrorists regret the moment this idea entered their warped minds.
Years of experience have proven that in the end we paid a heavy price for surrenders and deals, while determination and steadfastness brought success and blessings. Let us do so, and may God be our helper.
