Prime Minister Ehud Olmert issued Wednesday evening an official statement after the prisoner swap with Hizbullah was completed. and in the wake of the tragic return of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, who returned to Israel in coffins.
"The entire nation of Israel is hugging the mourning Goldwasser and Regev families," the statement read. "We are tearful and our heart goes out to the relatives, who fought tirelessly and did not lose hope until the last moment."
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Olmert said "this was a day of removing doubts, certainly in respect to the fate of Udi and Eldad, may they rest in peace, but also with regards to the people of Israel's moral strength."
"Based on this strength, we decided to bring back the boys even at the heavy price of releasing a despicable murderer," he said. "A foreigner wouldn't understand what every Israeli understands well: The mutual responsibility and concern for each one of our soldiers is the glue that connects us as a society."
Olmert added: "The concern for each one of our soldiers is what enables us to survive in an environment surrounded by enemies and terror organizations…woe to the nation that at this time celebrates the release of an animal who crushed the skill of a four-year-old child."
"On this day, my heart goes out to the Goldwasser and Regev families. May the memory of the sons be blessed," the prime minister concluded.
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