Who is this shmuck and why must Israel release him? Okay, so he served in the Army but he is a leftist shmuck.

Grapel served in the IDF - it was right of Israel to make an effort to secure his release. What he was doing was a form of hasbarah. Democracy is good - and he was demonstrating in solidarity with the Egyptian people, showing Jewish support. He seems like a smart guy, not an idiot. These things happen in revolution...

I watched the whole video of the interview, and nothing this guy said was leftist or anti-Israel. Why do I keep hearing this? He was spending his time in Egypt giving aid to those most in need in that troubled mess of a country. The venom here is better directed at the Egyptian authorities who interrupted his work.

Mr. Grapel, are you happy? You caused more chaos in your stupidity than someone slipping on a banana. How are you helping the "Arabs?" Where have you been? DId you not understand what the 48, 56, 66, 73 wars were about? Are you a true product of modern American edumacation that to be an "activist" like the illegal in the White House is much better than to be a true humanitarian? You caused 25 terrorists to be free. You need to not only apologize to the Israelis but also to pack and leave. Please go to France and do something for the "Muslims" holding the French towns ransom.

You and Grapel are BOTH idiots. That "revolution" you're so excited about is handing Egypt over to the MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD who will soon go to war with Israel, You can thank Grapel & the morons in Obama's State Department for all the casualties Israel will incur.

During the 1980s, with the influx of many refugees from the Horn of Africa, St. Andrew's United Church of Cairo expanded its refugee services to include education and advocacy. Most of the refugees have fled their homes in the Sudan and Horn of Africa due to war or famine, in order to seek safety and well-being. In 2000, the World Council of Churches reported that ‘between two and five million Sudanese have come to Egypt in recent years an more are arriving each week, in addition to Palestinians, who are estimated to number some 50,000. Before 1995, Sudanese were allowed to enter Egypt and live as nationals as regards access to education and work. Since the attempt on Mubarak’s life in Ethiopia, which was allegedly carried out by Sudanese, all newly-arriving Sudanese refugees are required to possess visas and apply for asylum as do other nationalities. On second thought, I don't believe he was messianic Jew, for Messianic Jews don't serve in the Israeli army.

Out of curiosity – everyone keeps saying he was peaceloving, was intrigued by ARabs and wanted to help them… so in that case then WHY would he join an active combat unit of the Israeli Defence Forces when they were at war with Lebanon? He was not obliged to join but volunteered... Find it very hard to understand why this individual who, it has been proven, had a desire to fight Arabs (and assume kill them?) would go to Egypt to "help with the Arab Spring" and his family/friends consistent statements that he is "peaceloving", etc… One decent response to this question would be appreciated! Thanks..