Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Reflections on releasing murderers

Palestinians celebrate release

"Unparalleled Cruelty" -Editorial

Israel released 198 long-serving Palestinian prisoners, including several killers, in a gesture to boost Mahmoud Abbas' standing.

Abbas used a Ramallah ceremony welcoming the men to say: "We will not rest until [all] the prisoners are freed and the jails are empty," specifically citing Marwan Barghouti, serving five consecutive life terms for murder; Ahmed Saadat, imprisoned for the assassination of cabinet minister Rehavam Ze'evi; and Aziz Duaik, a Hamas politician taken into custody in response to Shalit's abduction.

It is sobering to remind ourselves that Abbas reflects the most moderate of Palestinian opinion.
(Jerusalem Post)


Releasing Terrorists: New Victims Pay the Price -Nadav Shragai

According to an informal estimate by Israeli security bodies, about 50 percent of the terrorists freed for any reason whatsoever returned to the path of terror, either as perpetrator, planner, or accomplice.

In the terror acts committed by these freed terrorists, hundreds of Israelis were murdered, and thousands were wounded.
(Institute for Contemporary Affairs/Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs)


Gestures Are Patronizing -Udi Label

We have seen all sorts of gestures, always made unilaterally, by Israel, to the Palestinians. More than anything, these gestures adopt a patronizing perception vis-a-vis the Palestinians. They must be appeased, trained, and showered with gifts and gestures, as if they are not rational people who can be partners to genuine talks.

The gesture strategy marks capitulation to the narrative that perceives them as hysterical, hot-blooded, and obsessed with honor - the kind of people who must constantly be given gifts so that they don't suddenly leave the negotiations.
(Ynet News)

UPDATE:
Israel Arrests Fatah Man Who Was Pardoned But Returned to Terror -Michael Freund

Security forces arrested a Fatah operative in Nablus who had been given a pardon by Israel as part of agreements between Israel and the PA. The security establishment said Adham Lubada had returned to production of explosive belts following his pardon.
(Jerusalem Post)

1 comment:

LHwrites said...

Though the conclusions made by these situations are unflattering and sad, there is little reason to think they are incorrect.