Some 30 terror-bereaved families have turned to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu with a heart-felt request not to release terrorist-attack planners in a deal for Gilad Shalit.
The plea followed an opposite request by another group of bereaved mothers, including fallen astronaut Ilan Ramon's wife Rona, whose son was killed recently in an Israel Air Force accident. Ramon and other women met with Netanyahu this week and asked him to work to free Gilad Shalit.
Shalit has been in Hamas captivity for nearly three and a half years, after terrorists from Gaza tunneled under the border, killed two of his soldier comrades, and dragged him back into Gaza.
The anti-release letter reads as follows:
We, who have lost loved ones in terrorist attacks and in the war against terrorism, wish to meet with you urgently, in light of the reports that the Government of Israel has agreed to the Hamas demands for the release of hundreds of murderous terrorists, and in light of the public and media pressure upon you to execute this exchange.We heard with sorrow and shock about a group of bereaved women who demand that you stop 'gambling on Gilad' and insist that you save his life and freedom by freeing hundreds of murderers. They don't want to gamble on Gilad – but on the lives of others it's OK??
Many of us have lost our sons and daughters in abhorrent and murderous terror attacks that were perpetrated by terrorists who were released in various exchanges and gestures. Some of them were freed in order to save the lives of soldiers in captivity. And we ask you: Why? Why did the Government of Israel choose to gamble on the lives of our children? And to destroy our lives and our families' lives? What is the justification for abandoning the lives of our children in order to save others?
Didn't the Prime Ministers who approved these deals know that many of the terrorists would murder once again? Did they really believe that they would beat their swords into plowshares and seek only peace? Did our leaders choose the short-range profit at the expense of our children's lives?
A cartoon illustrating a point made by the bereaved parents
And even if they were sincere in their intentions, you, Mr. Prime Minister, already know the price in blood that tens and hundreds of people are liable to pay following the release of these Hamas terrorists…"We know that you, too, Mr. Prime Minister, are a terror-bereaved brother. Your late brother Yehonatan Netanyahu fell during the daring operation to free the Entebbe hostages. Then, too, the government could have quickly given in to the terrorists' demands – but the State of Israel knew that the price of surrender would be worse than the price of fighting, even if it demanded sacrifices.
The legacy of your brother Yehonatan is a beacon of light for the price that the residents of the State of Israel are willing to pay in order to save many more…
Amidst our pain and loss and tears, we must clearly say the following: The few must sacrifice for the many, and soldiers must sacrifice for the citizens. This is the proper order; it is inconceivable to endanger and abandon the many for the sake of one, even though he is beloved and precious to his parents.
We who have sacrificed the most precious of all hope there will be no more need for sacrifices, but we know that without readiness to sacrifice for the many, we will not be able to exist here, or anywhere else.
Strengthening you in your strong stance,
The Forum of Bereaved Families Against the Release of Terrorists
