Opinion
Ransom isn’t the answer
Martin Sherman
Published: 18.03.09, 00:35
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49 Talkbacks for this article
1. EXACTLY! Amen, brother! Thank you.
(03.18.09)
2. Finally someone with some intellegence
David ,   Montreal, Canada   (03.18.09)
200 killed by released terrorists. Enough said! Bring on the pressures...
3. MARTIN SHERMAN FOR PM!!
Zev - Ben Dod Hagai ,   scottsdale, az USA   (03.18.09)
How can it be that an articulate, honest, pragmatic man such as SHERMAN, doesn't feel compelled to lead and actualize his brilliant realpolotik?
4. Did we just loose a war, where we have to be dictated terms?
Doron Katz ,   Sydney   (03.18.09)
The worst thing we could do is have Shalit stay up until now, 2 years only to give in to each Hamas demand. Either we should have done that on day one so he didnt suffer needlessly, or the complete opposite, what this author says, take away all the services to the Palestinians. Collective punishment is legal when done against another supposed governed country/territory that is acting illegally (holding captive for no crime).
5. Gilad's release
dennis greenstein ,   nj,usa   (03.18.09)
Well-stated, Mr. Sherman. You are right on every point. Thank you for printing this great discussion. I hope hope that everyone reads and digests it...
6. right and wrong!
tom ,   toronto, canada   (03.18.09)
this article is 100% right in arguing that israeli national policy cannot be contingent on the release of one soldier. such distortions in national policy will only demonstrate to the terrorists that this is a useful tactic, and it will be repeated. however, the alternative is not well though-out. while it is correct to assume that force must be used to secure gilad shalit's release, it is a mistake to believe that punitive measures against the civilians of gaza will achieve anything, except more sympathy in the international media for "poor suffering gazans". hamas' leaders don't care one bit about the welfare of their own people. they are perfectly willing to use their own children as human shields, and actually HOPE that they are killed or injured, "for the cause". against such barbarism, it is useless to shut off water or electricity. instead, israel should concentrate on the hamas leadership. every day that gilad shalit is held captive, more and more of hamas' leaders should be dispatched to "paradise". after all, they claim that it is their fondest wish to be "martyrs". or at least that's the baloney that they feed to their followers. showing them up for the lying hypocrites that they are certainly will help to erode their following, and it would pressure on the people who make the decisions in gaza to end the game playing. the only negotiations that israel should enter, is how long a "hudna" will israel observe if and when the red cross visit shalit and confirm that he is not mistreated, and how many hamas leaders will be left alive when he is released.
7. Kudos to you, Mr. Sherman!
GZ ,   USA   (03.18.09)
Insightful analysis, and fresh and well articulated arguments, as always. If only Israeli leaders listened to people like you... How much better off Israel would be.
8. Excellent article
Steve   (03.18.09)
9. A hard choice but the correct one!!
Phil ,   Australia   (03.18.09)
10. By FAR the best article this year!!!
truth ,   new york   (03.18.09)
11. Straight to the point
Robert ,   Great Neck, NY   (03.18.09)
Bravo, bravo, bravo! You described it perfectly Mr. Sherman. The only way to avoid more kidnappings from happening and more killings on our side is to teach Hamas a lesson by telling them, thanks but no thanks. You will not get more then one prisoner for Shalit. The equation is one to one and not one to 500. And even better, let the IDF and Shin Bet locate Shalit and try to release him without paying any price.
12. very good read
jonathan ,   memphis usa   (03.18.09)
I am in total agreement with you. while I cannot imagine what he and his family are going thru, I cannot also imagine having to respond to the families that these freed terrorists will destroy if they are in fact released.
13. Sticks, not carrots
David Yashar ,   Jerusalem   (03.18.09)
All good points, but we should start by treating Hamas prisoners the way Gilad is treated. Specifically, no more visits from family or anyone. If the Red Cross wants to know how they're doing, our answer would be, "As well as Gilad." If Gilad gets a Red Cross visit, then the Hamas prisoners get one. If he gets to see his parents, then they get to see theirs. Tit for tat. These prisoners have a lot of family members. Let them put pressure on Haniyeh.
14. "HEAR,HEAR "WE SHOULD ALL SECOND THAT !
ROLAND SEENER ,   LONDON ENGLAND   (03.18.09)
15. The solution is
Robert Haymond ,   Ashdod, Israel   (03.18.09)
strategy and force, not appeasement. In order to survive, Israel must regain its status as a warrior society. Thank you Mr. Sherman for stating it so clearly.
16. Wow...well done sir.
(03.18.09)
I agree completely.
17. 100% Correct!
Jewish Refugee ,   U.S.A.   (03.18.09)
18. Author correct! Retaliatory abductions only way, GET TOUGH!
shneerhere ,   usa   (03.18.09)
19. Excellent points, but every Leftist will argue
Darren ,   Oakland, CA   (03.18.09)
that by engaging in forcible rescue, retaliatory abductions and "collective penalties", that we are "becoming the savages we say we hate" and further arguments of moral equivalence between Israel and those sworn to destroy her. They will also argue that Israel is a sovereign state and, as such, has legal responsibilities towards international law and human rights that non-state actors such as Hamas, Fatah and Hezbollah don't have to abide by. Like it or not, by operating within the gray area of the law, Israel's enemies are able to reap the benefit of both worlds - all the rights of statehood (as recognized by the world community) with none of its obligations - and in the process, leave the West with egg on its face. Is Hamas dragging Israel to the point where they will have to fight terror with terror? If we look at the history not only of the final days of the British Mandate, but also the final days of the Second Jewish Commonwealth, the answer is unfortunately clear, as far as I can see.
20. Kidnapping of Israeli civilians and soldiers.
Robert Bernier ,   Tel Aviv   (03.18.09)
When Israel makes exchanges that are unequal, it is only natural for Israel’s enemies to view the illegal kidnapping of Israeli civilians and soldiers, and the violation of their legal rights in captivity, as an extremely profitable activity. Furthermore, because Israel eschews the death penalty, Israel keeps terrorists alive in Israeli custody and thereby inadvertently creates a “bait” situation where terrorist groups attempt to free their men by ransoming newly-kidnapped Israelis. More at : http://xrl.us/kj6sj
21. Give him an award for Common Sense.
Bunnie Meyer ,   Los Angeles, CA USA   (03.18.09)
22. Hamas Doesn't Care
RickD ,   USA   (03.18.09)
about its people. It doesn't care about the gazan population and doesn't care about any individual member of Hamas. There is no single person that Israel could capture and trade for Shalit. The Hamas leadership cares only about itself. If you held a gun to Haniya's head he would release Shalit, if he could. The only time that the Hamas leadership has capitulated in the past has been during a period when the Hamas leadership was hunted. This is the best way to pressure the Hamas leadership. Shoot them down from the air. Let them hide and sleep in caves. In addition there should be restrictions of privileges of Hamas prisoners in Israeli prisons. No family visits. No privileges. Yes the Red Cross can visit them. This entire situation is part and parcel of the Israeli govt failure to deal with Hamas at a strategic level. No one in the govt seems willing or able to run a long term campaign to weaken Hamas. Every move has been a tactical move against Hamas and this can't work.
23. Freeing Terrorists
Vicki ,   Kadima, Israel   (03.18.09)
Good article, about time someone stood up and said what the majority of us are thinking. The only thing he did not go into was the "Death Penalty". Surely if we imposed instant execution to the terrorist who was caught red handed (bomb strapped to the waist, gun in hand etc etc ). Then we would not be held to ransom time and time again. It is about time Israel took a real stance against this blackmail. We feed them, clothe them, educate them in prison, all to the tax payers great expense. We have seen what Hamas does to deemed traitors, why don't we?
24. Great article
Robocop   (03.18.09)
I agree with the author of the article. The stae should do it utmost to free Shalit, but not at the price of liberating murders and arch terrorits. Israel lost 13 soldiers in operation cast lead. This week two policemen were killed by terrorists in the Jordan valley. Over the years terrorist that Hamas want free killed hunderds of Israelis All these where also sons, and brothers. They are no less important than Shalit. Medias shouldn't relay anymore the pression by its family or groups to mak ethe state making concession on that file. The sate has to care about the interest of the people, not only of a sigle individual if the price tag to get his raptors fre, is to high to pay
25. #19 - INTERNATIONAL LAW IS NOT A SUICIDE PACT
Martin Sherman   (03.18.09)
Darren, As one well know expert in Political Science and International Law (Prof. Louis Rene Beres), frequently - and correctly - points out: "INTERNATIONAL LAW IS NOT A SUICIDE PACT"
26. YES- Finally someone speaking up for the masses
Judy ,   Jerusalem   (03.18.09)
Thank you Martin Sherman for articulating what so many Israelis believe and feel but felt bullied into staying quiet about it. Your words ring true and show the real problems with the swap of terrorists for Gilad Shalit. We all want Gilad to return home safely to his family, but not at the expense of the murders of 50 more citizens through future terrorist attacks of these barbarians. The job of the Shalit family is to pressure the governent to do all it can. The job of the government is to protect the citizens. THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS. Mr. Sherman, please continue to voice your opinions. thank you.
27. Never was said a truer word
Sagi ,   Israel   (03.18.09)
"coercive and not consensual" Let me please elaborate on that, indeed compound it. All services should be mmediately cut off ( this should have been done on the day of abduction ). A string of bulldozers should be set up along the border and at the same time a press conference called by the PM with an invitation extended to all resident Ambassadors. This gathering should be held at The Knesset assembly ground, facing he Menorah. The message should be precise and succinct, an ultimatum. No Gilad, the dozers move, every day that passes 500 meters more. This is the only way. Not one Palestinian prisoner should be released, ever, not for Gilad, not for any other Israeli. Appeasement, in any shape or form, never works with the enemy, any enemy, but certainly not the Arabs. The time has come for us to understand their mentality, after all we have more than a hundred years of empirical experience.
28. #3 he's got my vote
vashDi ,   israEL   (03.18.09)
29. You never smile.But this is a very good
Eric.... ,   Israel....   (03.18.09)
article,well written Martin.Its the only way , dont give them anything for nothing.
30. to #4
ghostq   (03.18.09)
Israel don't have to provide the palestinians with nothing, it's not the first time they try to bite the hand that gives them services, so tough, no gilad no services.
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