just a face saving excuse. NZ rather pay its lazy unemployed citizens.

They could always exchange them for some sheep, or may be they are worth more. Bush Snr

Scorpion Light Tanks? HAMAS would laugh so hard it may not even remeber to shoot at them.

Do what is ethical - Re-take Gaza now!

Amazing that the result of a kidnapping of two journalists who will probably be killed on camera or just wish they were dead, and the fear and pain their families must feel, are treated with indifference by these readers. Whatever

another example of brave arabs, kidnapping unarmed innocents,i gueuss they we tired of hiding behind womens skirts

you waste so much in the name of aid to the palestinian people, when really all it does is buy the terrorists more weapons to harm israelis as well as arabs, so why not give a few more bucks to actaully SAVE innocent people?

What is Amazing.is the fact that in any law abiding country,a kidnapper would be called a criminal,and be put in jail for a long long time. But in this bizzare world,Kidnapers and murderers of muslim origin are called Miltatnts & insurgents,. The indifference shown on here comes from years of biased reporting by the abducted journalists. New Zealand & the BBC have yet to find a muslim terrorist they dont admire or give tacit support to. As far as our indifference.... When you make your bed with thorns,your tush is likely to get pricked. You cavort with and display support for these thugs,you may get hurt by them,since no matter what you do,you will still be an infidel at the end of the day. I hope these guys are freed safely soon.

There are a lot of NZ'ers buried in what is now Israel. They died clearing the Ottomans from Palestine, hundreds more died in Egypt stopping the Nazis advancing on Cairo. A time incidently when the zionist gangs toned down their bombings and attacks against the British mandate, obviously considering the prospects of a greater evil, only to increase them again when the battles went the other way You think it a joke when our citizens a kidnapped? At a time when Israel needs friends, consider yourselves.

Funny how no one pays terrorists but they seem to get the loot anyway... where does it come from then?

"You think it a joke when our citizens a kidnapped? At a time when Israel needs friends, consider yourselves" Why you think we israelies see this as a joke? We don't, but yes....we told you so...in the past many journalists were kidnapped in Gaza...we left Gaza a year ago,,,,GAZA IS NOT OCCUPIED ANYMORE...blame the Palestinian Government...HAMASSSSSSSSSSS

I do, I was responding to the half-wits on this talkback. We left gaza 90 years ago.

christians, jews and infidels to be released from jails in every muslim country. -- just as a follow-up to their ridiculous demands.

I understand Katsav is willing to take their place in return for a pardon. Fair is fair

No Gov is going to pay the ransom, and no prisoners will be released. That leaves a bunch of dumb terrorists empty handed. But you have to give them credit for stealing from the media. That guarantees their 15 minutes of fame; which is all they're after anyway.