The Gilad Shalit London taxi

By: Chas Newkey-Burden On: 11 April 2011

Do you remember my post about the Gilad Shalit London taxi? While Gili Brenner and I were out on the town on Saturday night, we saw it.

There was an interesting development in Gilad’s case today. A panel of former chiefs of Mossad, Shin Bet and the IDF called for Israel to swiftly negotiate his release. For what it’s worth, I echo that call, for the reasons I outlined here.

What do you think about their call?

4 Responses to “The Gilad Shalit London taxi”

Shmuel says:

11 April 2011 at 9:33 PM

From the Ynet: Peri stressed that making a prisoner exchange deal was not an easy decision, which many think is wrong. However, he noted that most Israeli citizens support the release of murderers in return for Gilad Shalit.

Didn’t know that – but I agree.

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Rachelle says:

12 April 2011 at 12:17 PM

Hi Chas, my mum recommended your blog to me, it’s very re-assuring to read considering I am an Israeli Soldier with dual nationality. I joined 7 months ago as a lone soldier, left England and it was the best decision I have ever made.
I agree with what you say about exchanging prisoners for Gilad Shalit. As an Israeli soldier, I understand the importance of doing your service to the country with the knowledge that the Army and the government will do everything in their power to secure your release. As a 16 year old I was on the Lebanon border with a summer camp when the exchange for the bodies of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev took place. It was very emotional, and was a contributing factor in my upcoming decision to join. It made me understand the moral values of the IDF. Ps. great blog and i hope to see this taxi as I am in london for passover

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Michael Ezra says:

13 April 2011 at 1:36 AM

Not specifically about Gilad Shalit, but on the general subject of captured soldiers, I thought I would quote an extract discussing the position according to Jewish law:

Rabbi Eliezer Yehudah Waldenberg … addresses the question of governmental policy concerning the obligation of rescuing captives (pidyon shevuyim). The basic rule, well known in Jewish law, is that one may not ransom captives for more than they are worth. Rabbi Waldenberg was asked about a government’s decision to send troops to rescue other captured soldiers, even when more soldiers might or will be killed during the mission than had been captured in the first place – which would seem to violate the Talmudic rule. Rabbi Waldenberg responds by positing two conceptual points. The first is that war is different from individual ethics and has a different set of rules. The second is that governmental decisions are different from individual decisions and also follow a separate set of rules. By this, Rabbi Waldenberg means that the basic halakhot of war allow the killing of human beings in circumstances that are otherwise prohibited. Furthermore, a government, by dint of serving the vast national interest of many people, is permitted – in situations of war – to consider diverse factors and reach results predicated on a vast national interest or consensus, even if it risks many lives for seemingly little real short-term gain. Thus, a government could conclude, he states, that it is proper to lose the lives of three soldiers to rescue one. (Of course, the reverse conclusion is also possible, although he does not dwell on that prospect.)

Source:

Michael J. Broyde, “Just Wars, Just Battles and Just Conduct in
Jewish Law: Jewish Law Is Not a Suicide Pact!” in Lawrence Schiffman and Joel B, Wolowelsky (Editors) War and Peace in the Jewish Tradition, (Yeshiva University Press, 2007) pp.2-3.

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Taxi Media says:

13 July 2011 at 4:41 PM

Thanks Chas for all the support. We are all proud of the Gilad taxis. The more donations we get the more we can get on the road. Please I encourage all to donate. Donation link provided http://www.taximedia.com/index.php/upload/make_donation/

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