raphael harkham - Search Results

Marking the fourth anniversary of Gilad Shalit's capture, many in the country are uniting to call on the government to do everything it can to bring him back home. But even these people must concede that there are compelling reasons for the Israeli government's hesitation in releasing hundreds of terrorists for his overdue return. The question therefore is not whether there are costs related to an exchange with Hamas, but whether one believes such costs are prohibitive or not; and whether the erosion of national morale from the government's continued refusal outweighs the cost of capitulation.  ..

In the wake of the upsurge in activity surrounding Gilad Schalit, it bears remembering that there are compelling reasons for the Israeli government to pause before releasing hundreds of terrorists for his return. Needless to say, Noam and Aviva Schalit are doing what every parent would and should do, urging the return of their son whatever the cost. But the government must consider other factors, and the following are among the most fundamental: / 1. Capitulating would compromise the Israeli government’s duty by endangering the welfare of its citizenry. It is axiomatic that one of the central..