It is an awful situation. Unbearable. But negotiating with terrorists for hostages only encourages more hostage-taking; this has been the case all over the world, from Russia to Mexico and anywhere hostages have been taken. Hostage-takers have learned that if they just keep holding out, they get what they want. This cycle of negotiating with terrorists and hostage-takers has to be broken or there will be a next time and a next time and a next time, increasing in numbers. It is an awful bind to be in, but how else to prevent the next time and the next time after that?
I completely agree. I would never negotiate with Hamas. Their aim is to destroy Israel and kill all the Jews, so any concession to them would be something to further that aim. I'm frustrated that negotiations are even taking place.
Exactly. They don't care about land or Palestinian lives -- in fact, the more lost, the better. It's very dangerous to negotiate with people who hold nothing sacred and only want your destruction. I wish Netanyahu had refused any kind of dialogue along these lines.
A few thoughts- 1. It’s hard to tell what’s really going on in the “negotiations” because no one is providing a straight answer as to what the negotiations are. It’s my understanding that Hamas will not even confirm who is alive. If they are just playing games then there is nothing Israel can do. It sounds like a farce to me if it’s still dragging like this. 2. If Hamas is truly willing to release a substantial number of hostages but the government thinks the price is too high then they should just admit that. 3. At that point Israel has a choice - forget the hostages or take military action that is needed to force a release - assuming something like that exists. Obviously I would hope for the latter. There can be no healing until the hostages return. How do we get through the day wondering what is he happening to them?. I really wish Israel could be more decisive. But maybe I’m being too harsh. Would love to know what others think.
Bibi missed the boat. On Oct 8th the answer should have been no talks, no ceasefire, no nothing until all hostages are home, alive. Thats it. Every day that should have been the statement, over and over.
Reporter: Why won't you allow aid in?
Bibi: Release the hostages.
No one is worse at PR than the Israelis. Well, maybe the Democrats lol.
My heart brakes for the hostages......and their families......I just keep on praying for their prompt release!......And some countries keep on pushing for a Two states solution?.?.....Totally insanity!....
So here's my fantasy: all terrorist prisoners, upon their arrest, are inoculated with some kind of device, without their knowledge, that can be remotely activated at any time. So, for example, we give back 100 terrorists. Little by little over time Israel activates this device which, I don't know, releases a virus of some kind that debilitates the human host. All different viruses so that no one will suspect. Just a fantasy.
I confess that I've had a similar idea. Maybe a chip that would get them to start telling silly jokes instead of wanting to kill Jewish people. We can dream!
I feel the same as you. If it were my loved one, my emotions would take over, but the sad clear truth is that we should not give up a single thing to get the hostages back.
It is an awful situation. Unbearable. But negotiating with terrorists for hostages only encourages more hostage-taking; this has been the case all over the world, from Russia to Mexico and anywhere hostages have been taken. Hostage-takers have learned that if they just keep holding out, they get what they want. This cycle of negotiating with terrorists and hostage-takers has to be broken or there will be a next time and a next time and a next time, increasing in numbers. It is an awful bind to be in, but how else to prevent the next time and the next time after that?
I completely agree. I would never negotiate with Hamas. Their aim is to destroy Israel and kill all the Jews, so any concession to them would be something to further that aim. I'm frustrated that negotiations are even taking place.
Exactly. They don't care about land or Palestinian lives -- in fact, the more lost, the better. It's very dangerous to negotiate with people who hold nothing sacred and only want your destruction. I wish Netanyahu had refused any kind of dialogue along these lines.
A few thoughts- 1. It’s hard to tell what’s really going on in the “negotiations” because no one is providing a straight answer as to what the negotiations are. It’s my understanding that Hamas will not even confirm who is alive. If they are just playing games then there is nothing Israel can do. It sounds like a farce to me if it’s still dragging like this. 2. If Hamas is truly willing to release a substantial number of hostages but the government thinks the price is too high then they should just admit that. 3. At that point Israel has a choice - forget the hostages or take military action that is needed to force a release - assuming something like that exists. Obviously I would hope for the latter. There can be no healing until the hostages return. How do we get through the day wondering what is he happening to them?. I really wish Israel could be more decisive. But maybe I’m being too harsh. Would love to know what others think.
Excellent summary, Dena, though there is no military option that can free the hostages. At this point we need a miracle.
I wrote two posts trying to express the horror and frustration:
https://www.pisgahsite.com/p/the-hostages
https://www.pisgahsite.com/p/its-always-a-sophies-choice-for-israel
Thanks Ehud. I’ll read these. This is the most excruciating experience.
Bibi missed the boat. On Oct 8th the answer should have been no talks, no ceasefire, no nothing until all hostages are home, alive. Thats it. Every day that should have been the statement, over and over.
Reporter: Why won't you allow aid in?
Bibi: Release the hostages.
No one is worse at PR than the Israelis. Well, maybe the Democrats lol.
My heart brakes for the hostages......and their families......I just keep on praying for their prompt release!......And some countries keep on pushing for a Two states solution?.?.....Totally insanity!....
So here's my fantasy: all terrorist prisoners, upon their arrest, are inoculated with some kind of device, without their knowledge, that can be remotely activated at any time. So, for example, we give back 100 terrorists. Little by little over time Israel activates this device which, I don't know, releases a virus of some kind that debilitates the human host. All different viruses so that no one will suspect. Just a fantasy.
I confess that I've had a similar idea. Maybe a chip that would get them to start telling silly jokes instead of wanting to kill Jewish people. We can dream!
So glad to meet a fellow dreamer / problem solver! If Israel can create blow up pagers and get them into all the right hands / pockets, why not?
Another excellent article! Sharing !
I feel the same as you. If it were my loved one, my emotions would take over, but the sad clear truth is that we should not give up a single thing to get the hostages back.
I don't believe the poll either.
Poll by Ma’ariv to the left of V Ulyanovich Lenin can’t believe it.