From another forum, I observed an exchange where people are complaining that the release of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was a sign of Israeli weakness. My response is as follows:
Israel had to bargain for Gilad, and the enemy knew it. 1027 was a cheap price to pay. If the price had been EVERY terrorist in custory, Israel would still have had to pay.
Why? Because Gilad was a conscript. An enormous portion of Israel's military are conscripts. Israel's mothers and fathers know when their children are conscripted that they may die defending the borders of Israel, and they are willing to accept that. What they will not accept is having their children kidnapped while being an occupying force and then held in captivity indefinitely (or tortured to death).
Israel didn't capitulate to the demands of the terrorists. They capitulated to the demands of all of Israel's mothers and fathers. Mothers and fathers who vote and who could demand the end to conscription. The Israeli government doesn't fear terrorists, but they fear a giant mob of angry Jewish mothers.
1 comment:
Yes, I agree this is actually a good move and a smart move by the Isreali government on so many levels.
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