Jerusalem – Israel won’t pay an unlimited price to free Gilad Schalit, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said on Thursday evening, as thousands of Israelis demanding that the kidnapped soldier be released from four years’ captivity by Hamas in Gaza marched with the Schalit family toward Jerusalem.
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“Israel is prepared to pay a heavy price for Gilad Schalit’s freedom, but it can’t say, ‘At any price.’ This is the truth and I’m saying it here,” the prime minister said.
He explained that Israel placed a proposal on the table at the end of last year to release 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, but that for security reasons he had not agreed to all the names on Hamas’s list. Israel also insisted that the most dangerous terrorists be banned from entering the West Bank.
Schalit’s father, Noam, said in response, “The question is not whether to release [Hamas] prisoners, the question is whether Gilad should be killed.”
Noam Schalit spoke in the midst of an 11-day trek he and his family began on Sunday from their Mitzpe Hila home in the Upper Galilee. They plan to reach the capital next Thursday, and to sit in a tent opposite Netanyahu’s official residence until their son comes home. Each day they have been joined by thousands of supporters who have marched with them.
Schalit said that these people had joined them, “even though they know the price demanded for his release. They also know the price of abandoning a captured soldier.
“I ask you, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, to listen to the sounds of the crowd walking with us. Be empowered by them to make this difficult decision, before it’s too late,” Noam pleaded.
This is insane, why should any Israeli want to Join the Army if this is the way they will get treated?
Finally Netanyahu comes to his senses. There can be no release of prisoners who may jeopardize more lives. While the Shalit family will be disappointed, anyone who serves in the IDF knows there is a risk of capture and death. These thousands who are marching seem to be indifferent to the consequences of giving in to the terrorist demands. Its not going to happen while Bibi is the PM.
What a shame they could use all that strength & resource on Tefilah, HKB”H has the power to bring Gilad home, not Netanyahu.
What’s the point of all the marches in the whole world you think Hamas the terrorist could careless. We should just kill all them.
I feel very bad for the Shalit family and for Gilad himself, I am just thinking that if he is released they can kidnap another soldier, so what is the point of giving in to the terrorists demands? Hashem Yerachem.
One posuk of Thhilim is worth more then all the marches
My heart really goes out to him and his family.. Thank g-d I am not in netanyahu’s shoes to have to make a decision like this..
I hope he makes it home……..
Hamas wants to put all middle eastern problems on shali’s head.
#5 and #9
I dont see the so called FRUM world davening for Gilad
Why don’t you start in your own Shul this Shabbos ask your Rabbi to say a perek of Tehillim for his safe release
I don’t understand this at all kidnapping a soldier is an act of war there should never of been any type of discussion about prisoner exchange war we are at war allowing them to keep him has the same consaquencis (not a big speller)as swapping prisoners as well just look how they get away with it no consquences for them
Acheinu kol bail yisroel hanisunim batzarah u’vasivya bain bayom u’vein bayabasha hamokom yeracheim aleihem v’yotziaim mizarah lirvacha umaiofailah l’oirah umishibud ligeulah hastah ba’agalag u’vizman koriv.
I think Netanyahu should give hamas ys”v an altimatium. Either accept the offer of 1000 prisioners or were going to war