What's in the News?

Yesterday was a very important day here in Israel. I know that the news of Israel and Hammas' prisoner swap was covered world wide, but I wanted to provide a bit of perspective on what the buzz is like here. For anyone who happened to have missed the news about this, here are the basics:

Gilad Shalit, a 19-year-old soldier from the north of Israel, was captured by Hamas when they tunneled into Israel and attacked an army outpost. Shalit was serving his mandatory military duty, as all Israeli citizens do after high school. Israel attempted to free him just after his capture, but failed. He spent over 5 years in captivity with no contact with the outside world. During this time Hamas demanded Palestinian prisoners be released, and in return they would release Shalit. The negotiations never solidified as an agreement could not be reached on the number of prisoners to be released... until last week. After 1,942 days of Shalit's captivity, Israel and Hamas reached a deal to swap 1,027 Palestinians in Israeli prisons for his release. He was released yesterday from Gaza to Egypt and crossed from Egypt into Israel. He was reunited with his family and flown home to the north of Israel.

The news here is now saturated with aspects of this story. In the aftermath of the swap, headlines read:

• Prisoners deported under Shalit deal arrive in Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and Qatar
•  Gilad is indeed alive, but so are Palestinian terrorists
• Shalit deal shows Netanyahu can reach Mideast peace, but won't 
• Palestinian prisoners return to heroes' welcome 
• Prisoner Exchange: No doubt, the Arabs won    
• Shalit Swap: An Israeli day of victory 
•  Gilad Shalit release marks the collapse of the peace process 
• Shalit prisoner swap marks 'colossal failure' for mother of Israeli bombing victim 
• Peres to Gilad: We are sharing your excitement, with joyful heart
• Both Palestinians and Israelis celebrate prisoner swap

Just from reading the headlines it is clear that a major debate has been sparked by this deal. There was never a question for the majority of the Israeli public that Gilad needed to be released... but at what cost? The government had been asking the same question during the 5 years of his captivity. There is much joy being expressed for his safe return. The reunion of Gilad with his parents was portrayed in an emotional and heartwarming broadcast. His family has gathered thousands and thousands of supporters and rallied for the government to act to secure his safe release.

For the last 5 years, banners with his picture and supportive statements have hung over storefronts, on fences, and at intersections. Massive rallies and demonstrations have been held regularly in his support. Last summer when I was here, one was held near the Gaza/ Israel border. The rally even included a performance by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. So, clearly many have been rejoicing at the release and have considered it a victory. Others have considered it a great victory for terrorism, and expressed opposition to the deal. There is bitterness being expressed toward the fact that the government 'negotiated with terrorists' in order to make this deal. Families of victims of attacks carried out by the newly released Palestinian terrorists have expressed anger at what they call a 'failure of justice.' And many are asking why one soldier's life is worth releasing 1,027 terrorists who have killed many more than that number of Israelis. On victim's father challenged Shalit's father demanding that he look him in the eye and "admit that [his] joy furthers [his] pain".

It is clear that these events have drawn out strong emotions and opinions, and that there is no one viewpoint that can be considered best. For each position there is merit, and for each position there is cause. It is clear that there is no answer to please all sides. There are just many more questions. Some are claiming that this will be a major obstacle in the future peace negotiations between Palestine and Israel, while some claim that it removes a great obstacle. I suppose we will see in time. But, for now I am very happy for Gilad and his family, that their trials are over and they are able to be together again.

In other news, tonight is the eve of the holiday Simcha Torah signaling the end of the holiday of Sukkot.We will be eating a wonderful holiday dinner tonight, and tomorrow taking a trip north to the historic city of Akko. Will report... for now: Lehitraot! (See you later)