Palestinians in Gaza City celebrate the release of prisoners. (Photo: Reuters)
Yesterday afternoon, as Gilad Shalit crossed the threshold of his parents’ home for the first time in more than five years, his neighbors in Mitzpeh Hila danced outside and sang heiveinu shalom aleichem (we bring peace unto you).
In Gaza, the crowds celebrated the freedom of murderers and called for death and martyrdom.
In the aftermath of yesterday’s events, Israelis have focused their attention on the complex but heartwarming news about Gilad getting on with his life – he took a walk in his neighborhood today, had his first home-cooked meal in almost 2,000 days, and slept in his own bed; normal activities that most of us take for granted.
In Gaza, Turkey, Lebanon, and other places rife with anti-Semitic hatred, terrorists of all stripes are spending the day plotting – in public and private – the next steps in ridding the world of “the Zionist entity.”
The contrast between good and evil – right and wrong – couldn’t be clearer.
Some, however, still can’t see it. The major lesson the New York Times has drawn from events of the last 36 hours is that Prime Minister Netanyahu is not serious about peace because he was more willing to negotiate with Hamas (the terror organization that held Gilad Shalit) than with Fatah (the terror organization that barely clings to the leadership of the Palestinian Authority and is in its seventh year of a four-year term).
Terrorist hero Samir Kuntar – who, in case you’ve forgotten, murdered Danny Haran and his beautiful little girl, Einat – draws a different (albeit equally outrageous) conclusion: The Palestinians need to take more Israeli hostages. “I call on the resistance groups to kidnap more Israeli soldiers and not make do with one,” Kuntar said.
Wafa al-Biss, a just-released terrorist who attempted to blow herself up at an IDF checkpoint in 2005 but “failed,” spoke with schoolchildren in Gaza this morning. Her message: You should try to be just like me. ”I hope you will walk the same path we took and God willing, we will see some of you as martyrs,” she said. Not doctors. Not lawyers. Not teachers. Not imams. This woman told a room full of children in a school that they should aspire to be murderers.
Israel’s enemies and their enablers, as well as those in the media who are always ready to pronounce Israel guilty until proven innocent, haven’t taken today off to enjoy yesterday’s events – and neither have the brave men and women of the Israel Defense Forces who continue to protect the Holy Land. For friends of Israel, today can’t be a day off. It must be a day of rededication. Yesterday, Israel and those who love her showed our moral strength. Tomorrow, other kinds of strength may be called for.
What do you think?
8:22 pm
God bless Israel those who hate the jews there day is coming when. the God of Israel will judge Israels enemies . and they will wish they would have never harmed the jews .
Just look what happen to turkey they were ready to attack Israel . God punished them with an earth quake. the same will fall on Israels enemies soon.
9:33 am
As a big construction guy, I cried seeing Gilad finially alive and free. All Jews are brothers and sisters like a big extended family. It was like seeing a younger brother set free from certain death.
4:50 pm
The New York Times, as well as far too many individuals, take the easy path with their “morality” in the overly simplistic view that “both must be guilty”; or the equally simplistic idea that it was Gilads fault for being captured and Israel must never negotiate with terrorists. The reality is that issues are far more complex, and we are forced to deal with distasteful people in an imperfect world. It is easy to be judgmental. Far more difficult are the life and death snap judgments that US, Israeli and other military personnel must make when defending freedom for countries that hold them accountable for their actions. Far more complex are the decisions that political leaders and negotiators are faced with when asked to deal with countries and organizations which have no concept of honor or morality.
I don’t know that I agree with the deal that was made to free Gilad. But then, I don’t know all the facts So I am not in a position to pass judgment. As for God dealing with the terrorists and their supporters, of course this is true. But I’m afraid He will also be dealing with many of us because we spent far too little time in prayer for these people- people who were not privileged to hear the truth as we are, but learn evil from their families, schools, and religious leaders. And instead of praying for Israel and for Jews everywhere, we just hate her enemies. Hatred is destructive to us, its effects spill over to all around us, and it does no good for Israel.
For me, I choose not to fall into the traps of judgmentalism or hatred. I know I don’t pray enough, but when I do I try to remember both the Jew and the Muslim, and my fellow Americans; both peoples and nations. This often runs counter to my nature, but “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required,” (Luke 12:48) We were given the light of truth, and so much is demanded of us in a world of darkness and hatred.
Isreal had reason to hate these people who attacked her without provocation, but they moved past this and, yes, made a deal with terrorists. If I judge Israel in this, I choose to look at the incredible value they place on one life- the risks they are willing to incur to free one man. Agree of not, I have to admire this about their nature, their values, and their morality.
Shalom.
10:17 am
God will deal with those who are against Israel. Those Palestine prisoners may have gone free, but God will deal with them and He does not play. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. God especially loves Israel. The Palestinians need to recognize.
4:12 pm
Amen to that!
7:16 am
I agree well said.
6:58 am
My thought are that I am so sick and tired of Isreal being demonized in the United States, and all over the world. I grew up and Isreal was trying to defend itself from a holocaust that had just occured within 35 years. And now it seems the world has turned upside down.
I am afraid that Isreal should of not released the soldier. As a soldier I would not of allowed myself to be captured. I would prefer to die instead of being allowed to be captured and to be used for ransom.
All Isreali’s should learn this and be prepared to die in defense of their country. NO surrender or it will be the death of Isreal.
9:08 pm
I love israel nd welcome my all israeli bros
6:29 pm
It makes me so angry that people criticise Israel for defending her borders and citizens. Israeli`s have hearts, something that their enemies do not have. The world press is totally biased towards the palestinians. They seem to think that Israel should not defend themselves at all, and that the palestinians can do anything they like. They never get condemnation for any of their terrorist acts, but if Israel defends their actions then the press goes crazy and calls them aggressors. The aggression comes from the palestinians, NOT the Israelis.
5:51 pm
PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM!
5:11 pm
Now Jason,you are being extremely simplistic by your comment.One side commits the atrocity while the other defends itself is fact.I’m afraid that too many people with similar views such as yours create unnecessary tensions when your view pertains to a 50% blame to both.The thinking people know that what the peace-loving Israelies have gone through over these past two thousand years plus is enough reason for retaliation.
4:23 pm
I think both sides commit acts of horror against each other. No one’s hands are clean in this matter.
3:40 pm
The contrast is obvious to anyone who wants to see it. I’m going to take a line from Rush Limbaugh: You make an conservative angry by lying to him; you make a liberal angry by telling him the truth.
4:05 pm
WELL SAID