Dr. Iran Lerman, Vice President Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, discusses the implications in the interview below. Lerman provided an optimistic analysis, although it needs to be remembered that female jihadis are no less dangerous than their male counterparts. In the Palestinian territories, female jihad martyrs are also highly celebrated. “Expressions of support for dying as a Martyr” are commonplace and “numerous mothers and fathers” have openly given testimonies, expressing “joy when their terrorist children died as Martyrs.”
While Israel has not yet agreed to these terms, in the past, concessions by Israel have only emboldened Palestinian jihadists. What makes prison swap negotiations so difficult for Israel is that Israel values the life of its citizens, while Hamas uses Palestinian men, women and children as human shields. Palestinians celebrate a culture of Islamic martyrdom and death, presented to the world as a cause of “resistance” against “oppression” — when the goal is and has always been the obliteration of Israel in the name of Islam, as expressed in the Hamas charter, the Palestinian Labour Organization manifesto, and the Fatah charter. This jihadist intransigence was evident even prior to Israel’s birth in 1948.
While it would be good to see Israelis released, it would also be extremely dangerous to see more jihadists released, many of whom would again seek to murder Israelis.
“Hamas’ 1st ‘serious’ prisoner swap offer: 1,100 terrorists + all female detainees,” Israel National News, July 27, 2021:
Hamas would first release Israeli civilians Avera Mengistu and Hisham a-Sayed and then the bodies of soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin.
Infidel says
Israel needs to make these exchanges more equivalent, and stop trading dead Israelis for live Palis
libertyORdeath says
Exactly…how often have we seen these ridiculous prisoner swaps where Isreal gives up hundreds or even thousands of terrorists for a handful of Israeli political prisoners?
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, yet expecting a different result.
Btw, how did those “land for peace” deals work out?
gravenimage says
Of course, Israel actually cares about her people–like kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.
Jim says
The Palestinians should first recognize Israel’s right to exist, then maybe Israel could release some minor Palestinians, may be one for every Israeli they release. Why do a Joe Biden with terrorists?
gravenimage says
Hamas offers first ‘serious prisoner swap’ in years: 1100 jihadists and all female detainees
………….
And in return Israel gets a couple of non-violent mentally ill people who wandered into Gaza and were seized by Hamas, and a couple of bodies of Hamas victims.
Here is more on Avera Mengistu and Hisham a-Sayed:
“2 Israelis Who Entered Gaza Held Incommunicado”
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/05/03/2-israelis-who-entered-gaza-held-incommunicado#
Rueben Singh says
If an exchange has to take place, then it has to be on condition that these lunatics go to a country/territory that does not border Israel.