Bereaved families split on Shalit deal
Family members of terror victims divided over consequences of prisoner exchange deal. 'It seems as though we have no feelings, but we all want Gilad to return home,' says bereaved wife and mother
Recent reports about the nearing completion of a prisoner exchange deal that will free kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit brought forth a lively public debate. Bereaved parents sent letters, while readers publicly shared their feelings on Ynet.
Among the victims of the terrorists who are in the center of the debate, there are those who are willing to hold back their revenge instinct and pay the price.
"My parents went only through one night of uncertainty, while Gilad (Shalit's) parents have lived like this for over three years," said Galina Michaltzvich, who was severely injured in the terror attack at Park Hotel in Netanya.
Abbas Sayad, who planned the 2002 attack, is one of the controversial names on the prisoner list submitted by Hamas.
"I went through a tough time," Michaltzvich notes, "I had to undergo medical rehabilitation for three years, and only after that I returned to a relatively normal life. My eyesight was damaged, as well as my hearing and my limbs."
Despite her personal catastrophe, Galina's thoughts are with Noam and Aviva Shalit. "Gilad (Shalit) should be released already, even for a heavy price," she admits, "on the one hand, the terrorist should continue to serve his jail sentence, but on the other hand, I am thinking about Gilad's parents who are waiting for over three years, and what's important is that he returns.
"I just hope he returns safe and sound, because if we're about to pay this heavy price, he better not, god forbid, come back in a casket like the late Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser," she added.
'Wars should not be waged on Gilad's expense'
Korin Ben-Aroya, whose husband died and daughter severely injured in the Park hotel attack, also supports the deal. "There are harsh feelings," Ben-Aroya noted, "I do not envy those who are responsible for making the decision.
"On the one hand my first instinct is to yell, but when thinking about it sensibly, I believe we have no other choice. Gilad Shalit should not pay the price for indecision. This young man has been held there for three years; wars should not be waged on his expense," she said.
Attack at Park Hotel in Netanya (Photo: Reuters)
Although seven years have passed, Ben-Aroya still lives through her daughter's injury daily. "Shiri suffered the most severe injuries," she said, "shrapnel entered her right eye and exited through her head. She lost her vision in that eye, and remained paralyzed in the right side of her body."
Ben-Aroya said she understands those who support the prisoner exchange deal: "Attacks happened before the kidnapping, and will continue to happen afterwards. We will always protect ourselves, it is our destiny.
"With all the pain involved, the dead will not return. Gilad is still alive, and we must give him the chance to finally start his life," she concluded.
However, not all bereaved families are siding with such a pricey deal. Rachel Friedman, who lost her sister, husband and three children in the 2001 attack at the Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem, is having a hard time accepting the heavy price involved in bringing Shalit home.
Ahlam Tamimi, the female terrorist who assisted in the execution of the attack, is also a possible candidate on the list of prisoners to be release.
"The thought of her release is dreadful," said Friedman, "the German television made a movie about the terrorist turned leader; I have nightmares that all these terrorists go back on the street to blow themselves up."
'Soldiers' blood more valuable than terror victims?'
According to Friedman, the proceedings were wrong to begin with: "The government didn't do a thing except discuss releasing terrorists. During cast lead they disregarded Gilad Shalit and left Gaza without him.
"All the protest tents and demonstrations should of been held in front of the UN and Red Cross. Why aren't they exchanging one of their important terrorist with one of our important soldiers?" She asked.
The bereaved mother and wife lamented the image she claimed has been given to those who object the deal, "it seems as though we have no feelings, but we all want Gilad to return home. However, how can we look into the eyes of the newly bereaved families after the first terror attack occurs? Soldiers' blood is not more valuable then that of terror victims."
Tal Rabinovsky contributed to this report
