“The latest threats by Hamas only serve to reconfirm this real danger to Israel, a peril that overshadows the joy that Gilad Shalit’s release will bring to his extended family and supporters"
Shalit family jubilation is mixed with national apprehension, says B’nai Brith Canada
TORONTO, – In light of reports that Hamas’ leadership continues to threaten terrorist attacks on the eve of the anticipated release of Gilad Shalit, a prisoner of the terror group for the last five years, B’nai Brith Canada has highlighted the dilemma Israel is facing.
Frank Dimant, CEO of B’nai Brith Canada stated, “As Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu has noted, this was a very difficult decision for Israel with a clear ‘tension between the desire to bring back an abducted soldier. . . and the need to maintain the security of Israel’. There are many reasons to question the deal struck -- the release of killers willing to strike again, the fear for possible future victims of such terrorists, the real possibility of more Israeli soldiers being kidnapped as bargaining pawns, the danger of negotiating with a terrorist entity vowed to the destruction of the Jewish State. And yet, at the root of the deal is the freedom of an Israeli young man.
“It is a great victory for the family and demonstrates once again how much the Jewish State values life. However, on the national level we cannot ignore that it is a major setback in the area of dealing with terrorist organizations. Jewish law indeed reminds us that public concerns must at times take precedence, even if this endangers the individual. This lopsided exchange will undoubtedly strengthen the Hamas terrorist organization and appears to reward terrorism.
“The latest threats by Hamas only serve to reconfirm this real danger to Israel, a peril that overshadows the joy that Gilad Shalit’s release will bring to his extended family and supporters.”
