How NOT to secure release of Kidnapped Soldiers

To obtain Cpl. Gilad Shalit's release, the world believes Israel must release about 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including terrorists with blood on their hands. Such a prisoner exchange would not lead to more kidnappings, he says, because "If Hamas could kidnap more soldiers it would, regardless of what price is paid..." 

This is dangerous nonsense. Kidnappings that result in the release of large numbers of Palestinian terrorists clearly encourage more kidnappings and give a victory to Hamas and any other kidnappers while bolstering their image as heroes.

However, the chief security issue raised by releasing Palestinian terrorists is not more kidnappings, serious and real as that is, but their return to terrorism and murdering more Israelis.

According to a detailed report produced last year by the Almagor Terror Victims Association, Israel released 6,912 terrorists between 1993 and 1999. Of these, 854 committed further terrorist acts, which claimed the lives of 123 Israelis. Baskin avoids discussing this, presumably because it would destroy his argument.