Marketing Gilad Schalit

Gilad Schalit is home. And that is wonderful. The terrorists Israel released in exchange for the IDF soldier held hostage by Hamas for more than five years are running around Judea, Samaria and Gaza promising to return to terror. And that is a nightmare.

But so far, the Israeli public is happy with the outcome. Indeed, the polling data on the government’s decision to swap 1,027 terrorists for Schalit are stunning.

According to the New Wave poll carried out for Makor Rishon, for instance, 75.7 percent of the public supported the deal and only 15.5 percent opposed it. In a society as rife with internal divisions as Israel, it is hard to think of any issue that enjoys the support of three quarters of the population. But even more amazing than the level of support is that the poll also shows the vast majority of Israelis believe that the deal harms Israel’s national security.

Sixty-one-and-a-half percent of respondents believe the deal increases the Palestinians’ motivation to commit acts of terror. Only 23.4 percent disagree.

The New Wave poll’s results are in line with the polling data reported by other firms. Down the line, the numbers are consistent: Threequarters of the public supported the deal and two-thirds of the public said it endangers the country. What this means is that two-thirds of the public listened to their hearts instead of their heads in supporting the Schalit-for-murderers swap.

Glick is one of the best,a nd smartest commentators on the MiddleEast. In this, however, she is wrong.

I should say that originally I opposed the exchange..I felt it was wrong, that despite how horrible it was for Shalit and his family, a nation cannot allow itself to be held hostage to the fate of one soldier. And Glick is correct that those now released terrorists will one day kill many more innocent Israelis. Yet it was still the correct decision.

Americans have great admiration for our all volunteer military, especially our Special Forces troops, be it SEAL, Delta, Rangers, Marines. One of the key credos of SF troops is that they will leave NO one behind on the battlefield, if at all possible. Several will willingly risk life and limb to rescue and/or recover one of their own. It's the bond they make with each other. We know the stories of SF troops in Afghanistan who have made the ultimate sacrifice going back to help one of their fallen comrades.

Israel is in reality one large armed camp. EVERY Israeli male, turning 18 does several years active duty, then is in the reserves until middle age. EVERY Israeli female does several years active duty. They take their weapons home with them, they're kept at home, and in the event of a crisis, a call up, they all change into uniforms, grab their weapons, and take a car, taxi or bus to meet up with their assigned units.

Every Israeli knows someone who is in the IDF, or has served..who has fought, or been wounded, or died. It is THAT personal.

In the 1967 war ( and I mention this one only because I happen to know these statistics, some 850 Israeli troops died. Based upon relative populations, the equivalent would be if some 80,000 Americans had died in Iraq. That is far more than Korea, than Vietnam.

The US could not, would not, stand such losses. We'd bug out. But Israelis do bear them, because their backs are against the wall, surrounded on all sides by Muslims wanting nothing more than to kill them..push them into the sea.

So that explains why the overwhelming majority of Israelis favor the 1200 to 1 exchange, Shalit is every Israeli's son, husband, father..he represents what Israel willingly faces, and endures, every day. And that's why they wanted him returned.

It may indeed prove to be a bloody, and very costly price to pay. But for now, they are happy, and willing to pay it. It's the price of nationhood for Israelis.

I think it guarantees that any captured Israeli will be protected from harm, as being more valuable alive than dead....

Bottom line, 1 Israeli is worth 1000 Palestinians...Think about it. That sets the bar.

Secondly, does it really matter if these bast*rds are set free or not? There are more than enough of them out there. This gives the Israeli army a second chance at them.

I think this in the long run secures the protection of any captured Israeli.

No, this was a good move....

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