If shalit was ur son, Mr. Dekel... Stop being so callous

No negotiations! There is no proof he is alive!

During the 2nd intifada 180 Israelis were murdered by the terrorists released in 2 previous exchanges. Shalit could have been be free long time ago if Israel treated imprisoned Hamas members the way Shalit is treated, i.e. no visitation rights, no communication with outside world, total isolation.

what would you say if you knew that your son will be the next victim of these newly freed arab terrorists. You know what? assume there is only 50% chance he will be killed. What would you say? Assume 20%, 5% or even 1%? Still thinking it is worth the chance YOUR son gets killed? But actually, you don't care. You are from Canada. No risk for you .... . The issue here to point is the constant failure of Israeli governements always giving up. The arabs just put their price! If Hamas would ask for 5000, we would still discuss about their demand. Same applies for 10,000 or more. If we give up, they will ask more and always more. There need to be an end to it!

Mr. Dekel says Israel's military has a combat doctrine recommending capturing terrorists alive in order to try them in Israel, knowing that the verdict is temporary until the next abduction. Why should murderers be captured alive when we know they will only be released in exchange for our kidnapped soldiers? They should killed on the battle field, shouldn't they? Otherwise they will commit further atrocities against innocent Jews. Isn't it evil to release murderers in exchange hostages? Shouldn't the murderer be put to death?

Quote :” The media has chosen to serve the Shalit family and not the public interest.” That the media is serving the Shalit family is NOT correct. The media should ONLY serve the public interest. BTW the media should NOT take part in campaigning. BTW why was :”.. the counter protest tent of those opposed to a deal dismantled.” ? BOTH sides should be allowed to have their protest tent -- we are NOT living in Iran !! Yaron Dekel said :”.. media outlets that hold back information and prefer to be emotional are populist and superficial, and most of all, betray their duty.” I agree with you, Mr. Dekel.

If the Israeli media would have worked to highlight the injustice of the Shalitt family not being allowed the minimal contact with their son while held hostage, the denying of his right to medical care and visits by the red cross perhaps something good would have ensued Their interest is more in the release of Marwan Bagrhouti than in the release of Gilad Shalitt..

The media has chosen to serve the Shalit family and not the public interest. But good journalism is tested in difficult times, not easy times. YOU MEAN POLITICAL INTEREST. THERE IS NO CONTRADICTION BETWEEN PUBLIC INTEREST AND THE SHALIT FAMILY. THAT IS ONLY THE CASE WITH WEAK POLITICIANS. IF THOSE POLITICIANS WHERE STURDY AND FIRM IN ACTION, NOBODY WOULD BENEFIT FROM OR DARE TO KIDNAP ISRAELIS. THIS CASE ROUSES SOUND RAGE, AND SHOULD DO SO, AND SOUND POLITICIANS WOULD PERSONIFY SUCH RAGE. AND ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN ACCORDINGLY. BY THE WAY, I THINK YOU ARE A WEAK MENTAL JERK. Orao.

IDF has done this before&can do it again.Released terrorists murdered 180 Israelies.This deal does NOT protect citizens of the western world!

How refreshing to read something by a real "journalist." If only all reporters adhered to the journalistic ethics and standards as does Yaron Dekel. We have enough demagoguery via our politicians; we don't need demagogic reporters!

thank you

The Sharon government started the blackmail rolling with the absurd Tannenbaum deal. In the twin interests of justice and national security the cirlcle must be closed. Give them back Tannenbaum, period. Don't offer up any smoking-gun terrorists - this will only perpetuate the diabolical hostage taking cycle.

every word. Moreover, this is not a matter of merely national political interest but SURVIVAL.

will be released ... If The Israeli government choose only to describe Hamas as "Terrorist" .. They live outside the bounds of Reality... To Constantly refer to an Oppressed people who have no alternative other than to resist by any means As "Terrorist" will only get the Israeli Government.. where it is today..Nowhere!!

And since your nickname 'moqawem' has more than an a flavor of Hizbullah in it, one can only conclude that you are looking forward to this "deal" because it would be a victory for Hamas and a defeat for Israel, just like the one with Hizbullah. It is not only Dekel that is opposed to this. Yesterday, a number of families of terror victims also protested it. Because it's wrong.

We heard his voice in an audiotape and he wrote three letters to his family.

I sense in his article that there is something he is not telling us. Something that most of us fear but don't want to think it, don't want to say out loud. That something is Gilad Shalit is not among the living anymore. Hamas is only holding Israel and Gilad's family hostage to hang on to false hope in order for the release of their murderous flock. I am 95% convinced that there is no more Gilad alive. I am convinced that yet again another black coffin will be returned for the freedom of hundreds' of assassins ready to strike again. Hamas did give Israeli a “pick” at the truth. During the Gaza operation, they did release the fact that he has been wounded…It’s all a pack of lies. He was not wounded because he was already gone. Sad World we live in but reality sometimes sucks. Shabbat shalom!

is, or should be, a warrior who risks his life and well-being on behalf of his country. As a result, there are no assurances that in any particular engagement that soldier will come out safely. That is the stark truth! For some reason which I cannot fathom, Israeli soldiers have come to believe that if taken in battle then the nation is obliged to bail them out at whatever the cost even if that cost is the nation's security. However, for Israel to survive we must again become the warrior nation we once were when indepndence was declared in 1948 as well as the warriors we once were in ancient biblical times. However, the sentiments expressed in the general media and by Shalit's parents, family and friends are contrary to the principles which will afford us survival.

Yaron Dekel, you wrote a timely grim reminder about the reality facing Israel, by an enemy devoid of any link with what they claim to be the master of the universe. That they have no respect for basic human dignity is abundantly clear, and hopefully serves to remind decent practising Muslims that a wide gulf remains in their religion. However, the fundamental issue remains one family's needs to know the truth about their loved one, as well as holding on to any hope of having him home alive. In this regard, your subliminal hints that the media may be in possession of information even unknown to Gilad's family is rather repungent to say the least? Enough of propoganda wars, whether it be waged by inhuman terrorists, politicians seeking better ratings, or the media seeking self justification as to their mission. If you know the truth...spell it out man or if you don't, join our nation's united stance to free Gilad until we know any different!

The media portrays it as if there is a camp that prefers to see Gilad rot in a Hamas prison. The voice of this camp that has "difficulty" with the concept of putting a few hundred killers back on the street has been effectively silenced.

The problem here is that the Arabs do not accept the existence of the State of Israel. All the strife and supposed oppression they experience stems from this one basic truth. And while I know that conditions for Palestinians can be quite trying, comparing their situation to the holocaust and to genocide is an insult to common intelligence and history.

The shalit family in their love is willing to sacrifice the lives of countless Israelis to get back their beloved son. When these terrorist kill again and the Shalit family is responsible for this what will they tell the families of the victims? What will Shalits family tell to the families of future hostages? We are creating hundreds of Shalits by making this Faustian pact.

Where's our famous Intelligence?!?! Mossad? Shin Bet? Hellooooooo? Pull an Entebbe and go get 'im, boys!!! Enough of this helpless and shameful "deal" crap! No water or fuel until Gilad, or his remains, chalilah, are returned! Why the hell are they pulling the strings and making the ultimatums here???

Kol Hakavod to Yaron Dekel for saying it like it is and to Ynet for publishing it. Many of us who are journalists have discovered that in a wide variety of topics, if one is not running with the herd, he won't even find a publication for his voice.

I think that all parents would do what the Shalits are doing if it were their son being held in Gaza.

Shalit has had a unique opportunity to endure living in Gaza similar to how Gazans have been living their lives for many years. He may well have Endured Cast Lead from an Unique position very close to where the IAF were dropping their Monstrous cargos Gaza under Seige is a Prison Camp, and so many of the Post here talk of how unscrupulous Palesinians are towards Their Camp Guards ... Aye..Right!! At Least Shalit will be more Enlightened.

WHAT SHALL BE THE PRICE FOR THE THREE TV CHANELS TO PROMOTE SHALIT RELEASE ALL THE ANCHORMEN/WOMEN BEHAVE LIKE RUNNING A THREE RING CIRCUS WHAT ABOUT KEEPING QUIET OR A LOW PROFILE?