Kidnapping is the only language Israel understands
[Gaza militant as reported by the Associated Press]
The Israel government is being criticized at home and abroad for a prisoner swap it executed with the Hezbollah terrorist group yesterday, which involved exchanging one notorious terrorist, four Gaza militants and the bodies of 199 Arab fighters all for the bodies of just two Israeli soldiers.
(Perhaps you recall that Israel launched a war in Southern Lebanon two years ago after Hezbollah fighters kidnapped these two soldiers.)
Most critics express the belief that such deals “only encourage hostage-taking.”
My criticism, however, is that such deals reflect the value Israeli leaders place on the lives of Israelis relative to Palestinians that is simply untenable. After all, it would seem more than fair to exchange one notorious terrorist for the bodies of two dead Israeli soldiers….
Therefore, it strikes me as a perverse form of jingoism for the Israelis to agree to such a lopsided exchange. Moreover, I can see how it feeds resentment amongst Arabs for their soldiers to be regarded so cheaply.
More to the point, I can see why Arab militants consider kidnapping such a good strategy to execute against the Israelis in their never-ending war.
Related Articles:
Declaring Kidnapping an act of war is fanatical
Israel vs Hezbollah: hardly good fighting evil…
Hezbollah celebrates victory against Israel in Lebanon
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