Mara Fishman
Reproduction photo: Effie Sharir
Israel Shikar
Reproduction photo: Yedioth Ahronoth
Bereaved husband: We can't free all prisoners
Israel publishes names of 10 terrorists it agreed to release in exchange for kidnapped soldier, some of whom were involved in deadly attacks. 'We can't pay any price,' says man who lost in his wife in suicide bombing, but bereaved father believes 'releasing Shalit is more important'
In an unusual move, the Israeli government on Tuesday published
the names of some of the Palestinian prisoners Hamas
demanded in exchange for the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.
Alongside those who Israel
refused to release, it also named 10 prisoners it agreed to free – as long as they are deported.
"I don't think everyone can be released. Although it's very sad that Gilad is there and not with his mother and father, we can't pay any price," said Ilya Fishman, who lost his wife Mara in a suicide bombing on a bus in Haifa in December 2001.
The list took some of the bereaved families back to the dreadful events committed by those terrorists, in which they lost their loved ones.
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He said he didn't believe that Muhammad Taher al-Karem, who was directly involved in the planning and execution of that attack, would change his way.
"These are people who speak in a different language. You can't talk to them. They don't understand about such things. You only have to give them more and more. There may be more kidnapped soldiers," Ilya warned.
Orit Shikar lost her husband Israel in a terror attack at a Rishon Lezion billiard club. When she received the news that Walid Ajnes, who was involved in sending the suicide bomber that evening, was slated to be released, she expressed mixed feelings.
"If I could know for certain that Gilad Shalit would be released alive and well, I'm willing to see my husband's murderer released. But I'm not certain, so it's very difficult for me.
"I'm shocked by what is happening. It’s very painful for my family," she said sadly about the past few weeks and the memories coming back. "My husband is gone. One day what happened suddenly happened. We sleep with it every day, we wake up with it.
"I'm marrying off my youngest daughter next week, and he's not with me. My entire life is ruined. I hope better days will come."
Ajnes was also involved in driving the suicide bomber who killed 12 Israelis in Jerusalem's Moment Café, across from the prime minister's residence. Yehezkel Azarov, who lost his daughter Orit in that attack, told Ynet that although he would like to see those responsible fully punished, "we have a government and it will decide what to do. Releasing Gilad now is more important.
"I don't know the terrorists personally, so what does it matter to me?" added Azarov, who is also certain that if the terrorists are released they won’t be seeking peace. "They don't become good, but there is also someone to deal with them. We have a law-abiding state, and this shouldn’t be a reason to be deterred by their release."
