This is a guest post by Joel Weiner
I was on my weekend off from Yeshiva in northern Israel this weekend, and spent it in Jerusalem. Last night I went to the big rally for Gilad Shalit outside the Prime Minister’s house to mark Gilad’s fifth birthday in captivity. It was very moving, seeing so many Israelis coming from all over the country to mark the occassion. The Shalit family had organised coaches from just about every city in Israel. Attendance was easily in the thousands.
To tell you the truth though, I’m not really a supporter of the campaign. That sounds like an awful thing to say, and makes me look like a hypocrite, since I did go to the rally last night. I went for the experience, which was a wonderful one: everyone singing Hatikvah together, everyone coming out to support our soldiers.
But at the same time, I find it difficult to believe that Gilad’s continuing captivity is the Prime Minister’s fault. In truth, last night wasn’t just a rally- it was a protest. All the speeches were addressed to the Prime Minister, and all of them made a point of saying that he should be doing more. But in actual fact, Bibi Netanyahu isn’t the one holding Gilad Shalit – Hamas is. And every time a new campaign is launched to bring Gilad home, every time Israelis turn out to put pressure on the Government to do more, Hamas looks on with glee – and raises the price of his release. To put pressure on Bibi is to play directly into the hands of the Hamas terrorists. This is just what they want.
And what happens if we do make a deal now? 800 terrorists for Gilad? 1,000 terrorists for Gilad? I’m not saying he wouldn’t be worth it - the life of a human being is priceless – but there are two issues with this. Firstly, how would the release of 1,000 terrorists make the families of those killed in terrorist attacks feel? And how can we justify putting 1,000 more terrorists on the streets to their next victims?
And secondly – and this, I feel, is the biggest issue – what kind of precedent would it set? If Hamas et al see that their lawless and merciless strategy of kidnapping innocent Israelis works, and leads to their terrorists being freed from Israeli jails, then what is holding them back from kidnapping another handful of border patrol soldiers? It was easy enough for them last time, so what’s stopping them from doing it again?
But take note, I certainly do not mean to say we should leave Gilad Shalit to rot in the hands of his cruel abductors. That is not the Jewish way, not the Israeli way, and not the human way. There is an alternative. Gilad is in captivity and we’re angry about it. But we’re complaining to the wrong people. As I’ve already said, he’s not being held by Bibi Netanyahu; he’s being held by Hamas. This has to be Hamas’s problem, not Israel’s. So let’s make it their problem.
One of the main criticisms aimed at Israel is at its record on human rights. Now, those who do criticise Israel’s human rights are clearly misinformed, misguided, willful manipulators, or all three. We’re talking about ‘pro-Palestinian’ campaigners, Guardian readers/writers, Amnesty International and the like. The Stop the War Coalition, Socialist Workers’ Party… the list goes on. So this should be our strategy: every time we’re criticised on the grounds of human rights, we say, “I can’t even have this conversation with you whilst Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is held in captivity in an undisclosed location, with no contact from the outside world or even the Red Cross. Every Palestinian prisoner in Israeli prisons is granted those basic human rights, as well as the right to a fair trial and even legal representation, all of which Gilad Shalit is denied.
“He hasn’t been allowed to have so much as a conversation with anyone other than his captors for more than four years. You talk about human rights? This is an abomination. Once Gilad Shalit is freed, only then can we start to question Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, which may not be faultless but is miles away from that afforded to Shalit.”
The Gilad Shalit issue should be their problem. It should be a burden not just for Hamas and its cronies but for Israel’s critics everywhere. They have to know that they cannot be criticising Israel’s record on human rights whilst their own is far, far worse. They should be made to feel bad that their side is so clearly in the wrong.
And the second part of our strategy should be pressure, not on Israel, but on Hamas, via the international community. I’m not talking about making measly statements such as the British Foreign Office issued yesterday; that potentially worsens the problem by, again, allowing Hamas to raise the price. No, we need to be more decisive than that. Every year, the US and the UN – and no doubt, the UK too – jointly give millions of pounds to Gaza in aid. Why aren’t they considering the option of making that aid dependent on Shalit’s release? The US and UN know as well as we do that Gilad Shalit’s continuing captivity is a stain on the face of the Middle East peace process. Let’s make this issue a real problem for Hamas. Their choice, effectively, will be either to free Shalit or for Gaza to be financially crippled.
So let’s make it clear. The Shalit issue is a big problem. But by making it Bibi Netanyahu’s problem, the dillemma is only augmented. By making it the problem of Hamas and Israel’s critics, we may actually get somewhere and, with God’s help, Gilad might finally be allowed home.
Thanks for this guest post, Joel. You’ve made some excellent points as always.
But in actual fact, Bibi Netanyahu isn’t the one holding Gilad Shalit – Hamas is.
I made just that point in my forthcoming Jewish News column – trust you to scoop me! I’ll post the column here in a few days.
I agree with most of what you say, actually. I see it as a ‘head v heart’ issue. The older I get, the more my head rules my heart.
Excellent piece by Joel. It put the onus firmly where it belongs; on the perpetrators. Instead of being on the back foot, asking what price Israel must pay to get him back, it says to HAMAS and to the meddling world, fix this and get him back, according to the rules you throw at as us accusations, then we will be prepared to talk. I like that a lot.
Excellent post. I agree 100% about the non-wisdom of releasing hundreds of Hamas prisoners, and you have come up with a very inventive, insightful, honest and realistic way of putting pressure on the correct parties responsible for Gilad’s captivity. This article should be sent forthwith to the various Israeli ministries and embassies, and the Israeli Government Press Dept. too.
Joel, I agree with you and have been saying similar things for a long time. The only thing I would change (and perhaps this was implied) is to say we should also be pressuring the Red Cross. It’s an absolute abomination that they have not visited Gilad, and they should be screaming about it (but of course, they’re not).
If the next generation of leaders are all this smart, Israel has a bright future to look forward to.
Joel for PM!
I totally agree- Hamas is the issue. Great post, thanks Chas and Joel – and what the world seems to miss is that by negotiating with terrorists we give them credence. Whilst as a mother I feel so much for Shalit’s parents, the media hype around him is too high. What has really happened here is that the campaign has in some ways detracted from the issues. Why is it the the world is sitting back and letting this happen? And if he is released, what is to stop the next soldier being used as a pawn in the terror game?
The terrorists held in Israeli prisons will no doubt at the end of their sentence still go back to terror. but meanwhile they are fed and for some it is like being in a hotel compared to their usual lives. hardly the same for Shalit. Personally I would like to see Israel say a much stronger no to this. Israel is damned if it does and damned if not in any case. Humane treatment of Prisoners in Israel does not compare to the treatment of Shalit. And it is not possible to be nice to terrorists.
A fascinating read, Joel. I hope to hear more from you here soon.
Excellent piece Joel. We all need to be more pro-active in getting Gilad freed. I’m certainly determined to do my bit.
I agree we need to do more, and see my next Jewish News column on precisely that point.
I’m not sure you understood Joel’s point though. He was suggesting less protests, not more.
Whilst obviously I agree that Hamas should be the one who is put under pressure and not Bibi, who on earth else do the general Israeli public have to vent at, other than the highest elected official in the state? He is their representative on the world stage, and I may be naive in my belief that he does his job well to represent the Israeli people, he is the only one to whom they can vent their frustration and feelings.
I feel however Joel that you are massively simplifying some of the wider issues that Gilad’s capture has created and also highlighted within Israeli society…
You opened up by saying that on a free shabbat from yeshiva you were in J’lem at the ralley… From this I take the assumption that you are on a gap year programme in Israel, either on a youth movement programme or independently at Yeshiva. Last year I was on a similar programme, facilitated by the youth movement i have grown up in. At the time, army drop outs was a huge issue, the ‘agudat imahot’ Israeli mothers Association was applying enormous amounts of pressure to the government (which was a kadima one at the time) to step up negotiations for Gilad’s release. At the same time, Bibi, before his election to the premier claimed in the paper that tzahal was an army of drop outs where only 40% of eligible youth were not serving in the army. Having an army of drop outs is most definitely Israel’s issue and some of this is caused by the enormity of Shalit campaign – this is created by Hamas, yes. But directly affects every single citizen of Israel.
Also whilst on said gap year programme, I sat over a milkshake in a student’s bar, opposite the university of Beer Sheva discussing with a close friend (who at the time was about to start his commanders course in one of the very most elite units of the army) the form that he was about to sign, which petitions tzahal to not release any prisoners on their behalf should they be captured.
A new generation of young people and their parents, families, teachers, community workers, youth movements – every sphere of culture is taking a huge detrimental hit as a result of all the (absolutely justified) noise and campaign surrounding Gilad.
This is Israel’s issue, and on certain levels, this IS the issue of the Israeli Prime Minister, Israeli society at large is badly hurting and desperately needs to be healed and it is the job of a strong leader such as Bibi to heal my/our homeland.
I agree with you Joel, about putting pressure on Hamas, but forget about it being verbal. And if you seriously think that any proHams Socilaist doucebag will let you get three words out before screaming at you that you’re a Nazi whatever, then you’re a serious optimist.
However, I agree (very agreeable today;) with a procedure proposed by an Israeli blogger I read last year. in short, no services to Gaza until Gilad Shalit is released.
She made the point that Israeli is the one who should be setting conditions, not jut reacting to Hamas demands.
I’d go a little further. All Hamas prisoners in Israeli jails to get their privileges – cell phones, Israeli education etc – cut until Shalit is released.
Fill in the smuggling tunnels with concrete or other solid materials unless Shalit is released.
Etc.
The outside world as represented by various terror groupies – unions and the like, would protest, but Israel should hold fast to this.
Definitely those 1000 terrrorists should not be released, but unless someone in the Israeli army gets creative, I’m afraid that Bibi doesn’t have too much to work with…
My two cents.
I’m afraid I can’t remember this most excellent Israeli blogger’s name. And I see I have made spelling mistakes!
I meant to write “pro Hamas Socialist douchebag”.
And the second part of our strategy should be pressure, not on Israel, but on Hamas, via the international community.
This is not possible because the international community seems to agree with the Arab point of view.
Sarkozy came out saying that Shalit is not a POW but a hostage can not expect the rights accorded to pows.
Sarkozy to Shalit’s parents: Gilad is hostage, not POW
Terrific post Joel and the targeting is just perfect. To all queries that come our way, the answer is simple – we can’t deal with this until Gilad Shalit is free.
I also agree that targeting Netanyahu is not just counter productive, but unfair and pointless. Bibi doesn’t hold Shalit, Hamas does. We really need hill top protests in Sderot, which can be seen from Gaza, to bring this to the attention of the world.
Kol hakavod Joel and thanks Chas for running this piece.
The way the U.S. would handle a situation of this sorts could be entirely different. Navy Seals or the equivalent thereof, would be sent in to rescue him. Or, perhaps, that’s only in t.v. Nonetheless, our policy holds true: (We) do not negotiate with terrorists. I think Israel should do the same, for sure.
Bibi maybe the only person able to hold talks with Hamas. I don’t know. Which, the way I see it, could be the only reason why complaints are addressed to him. Anything Israel decides to do is going to receive worldwide criticism. That’s why I think diplomacy is not going to work here. Maybe it’s my naivety. But, I say, go in and get him!
If Israel could have gone in and got him they would have done so years ago. Remember Entebbe?
That won’t work here. Where Gilad is being held is set up so the entire building will be blown to smithereens the moment there is any hint of him being liberated.
Do you honestly believe that if Israel could go in and free him that they wouldn’t have done so years ago?
Sorry, I had no idea the building was rigged. That does change a lot.
Then, perhaps the wisest thing to do is to starve out Hamas; cut their funding. Of course, that would require the U.S. to be on board, as well. And, now that we’re finding organizations on our own soils that have funded Hamas, we maybe closer to the day when we realize we can no longer ignore this.
the day when he comes out from this disgasting prison with no human rights, will be a big celebration for israel, i think he is victum of indifference of israeli goverment-there must be a way to take him out without giving freedom to 6000 hamas criminals