What a week! From Gilad Shalit’s release to Gaddafi’s death and Simchat Torah in the middle, whew!
We have to admit, we had, and still have, serious reservations about the prisoner exchange. We think it sends absolutely the wrong message, namely that life sentence means early release and that kidnapping works.
But on the day of, watching the news, seeing Shalit for the first time, alive and breathing, speaking Hebrew, the euphoria was undeniable. And ultimately, as much as it sends the wrong message to terrorism, it reenforces a vitally important message to an invaluable segment of the Israeli population: the IDF.
Speaking with people who served in the IDF, they all had the same thing to say: Israeli is fulfilling the promise it makes to every soldier. It’s the promise each soldier takes into battle, that their life and sacrifice is valued and will be protected and upheld at all costs.
So, despite our concerns for the long-term impact of this swap, all we can say, right at this moment, is Welcome home Gilad!
