chron
October 15, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Even as Jews around the world celebrate the holiday of Sukkot, the festival in which we erect temporary shelters, Gilad Shalit — the last Jew in Gaza — will soon be home on Israel soil. The holiday observance is an appropriate symbol because ever since this young Israeli soldier was kidnapped by the terrorist group Hamas, inside undisputed Israeli territory, his parents erected a temporary shelter outside the home of the Prime Minister of Israel to bring attention to the plight of their son. For five years, both Israelis and tourists had no choice but to walk by that booth and be aware that since 2006, Gilad Shalit was being held captive – with no visit by the International Red Cross violating all international laws. They had no choice because the temporary shelter was set up not only outside the home of the Prime Minister of Israel but it was set up along a major, busy thoroughfare in Jerusalem. I have been by there many, many times during recent visits to Israel.
Yet, for Israel, it was only a matter of time before they brought him home – because of a solemn, generational pledge that “no son or daughter of Israel would be left behind”. And, for Israel, the fulfillment of that pledge has created great angst. Gilad Shalit, now 26 years old, will be coming home into the joyful arms of his parents and family. But, the cost required to set him free is potentially catastrophic.
The government of Israel has agreed to release 1,000 prisoners, most of whom were jailed for terrorist acts, including the infamous suicide bombing of the Sbarro Pizza shop. There are those Israelis that believe that the release of these terrorists – most of whom will surely return to hotbeds of fanatic activity in Gaza and elsewhere – could return to their path of trying to kill as many Jews as possible in their efforts to destroy the Jewish state. Those Israelis, that have had friends and loved ones killed in the hundreds of terrorist attacks perpetuated by these prisoners that are about to be freed, have a right to be concerned. The government of Israel is also concerned.
Yet, the Prime Minister of Israel faced a difficult, daunting task – how does Israel keep its pledge of returning every son and daughter to their homeland while balancing the task of negotiating a deal. Benjamin Netanyahu negotiated a deal with the hope, prayer and confidence that the Israel Defense Forces will protect the State of Israel.
For those of us that have seen the anguished faces of Gilad Shalit’s parents and spoken to them about Gilad, we will rejoice as they embrace their son, due to be released this coming week. And, we will be ever mindful that even though the State of Israel pulled 10,000 Jews out of Gaza six years ago in a major, bold peace initiative – there was no reciprocation and there is no peace. Thousands of rockets have fallen on southern Israel, weapons and ammunition have been smuggled through tunnels into Gaza and the international community has stood by and watched – until Israel tries to defend itself.
Gilad Shalit will be the last Jew to leave Gaza. Let’s see what happens now.
