Sgt. 1st Class Gilad Shalit, a young Israeli soldier, was abducted by the Palestinian militant group Hamas in a cross-border raid 2006. Oct. 18, Shalit was flown to an Israeli military base and was reunited with his family for the first time in six years.
“I remember originally hearing of Gilad when I was in 6th grade,” junior Leah Rothberg said. “Ever year since then when I’d hear him mentioned, I’d wonder if he was even still alive. But after five years to see him return to Israel safe is a blessing.”
Shalit flew home to Israel at the base at Tel Nof, where he met his family and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His homecoming coincided with the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, a traditionally joyful week long festival celebrating the harvest. This was made even more joyful to Israelis with Shalit’s return.
His release was part of a prisoner exchange, in return of hundreds of Palestinians who were in Israeli jails serving life sentences. This exchange sparked questions about whether this would lead to more abductions of soldiers for both Palestinians and Israelis. Abu Obaida, a spokesman for Hamas, gave a statement in Gaza saying that their conflict with Israel was not over until prisons are shut down. Obaida also mentioned that Hamas treated Shalit well, according to Islamic morality while Israeli prisons dealt with torture, compulsion, and revenge. Freed Palestinian soldier and member of Hamas, Yehya Sinwar promised to free all prisoners, no matter the price.
“With Gilad being released, around 500 Palestinians were freed as well, over half had which been convicted for killing Israelis,” Rothberg said. “So, in a way, the situation is bitter-sweet. But gaining back one captured soldier was far worth the sacrifice.”
There have been several Israeli petitions to block or alter the exchange, but they have been rejected by the high court. Several Israeli families who had lost loved ones in terrorist plots attacked the Shalit family and the government. Netanyahu told those families he understood their pain and stated in his address that the State of Israel will continue to fight terrorism. Shalit was the first captive Israeli soldier who has returned home in 26 years and mentioned he would be happy if others were released, but hopes his homecoming and the prisoner exchange brings forth peace. This brought many Jewish Israelis and Americans to share in the joyous occasion for the state.
“I think it’s fantastic that Gilad Shalit is finally home, but it is very scary to think about the thousand Palestinian prisoners who were freed as large portion of them are convicted terrorists,” junior Samantha Weil said. “However, bringing Gilad Shalit home, upholds the values of Israel. It upholds the treatment of the Israel Defense forces to its soldiers and it upholds that Israel is a Jewish state as saving a life through any possible means is one of the highest Jewish value. The Jewish community’s prayers are with the Shalit family, that Gilad will make a full recovery after suffering through the tremendous ordeal of five years in captivity.”
Many have posted Facebook updates about the his return. Rabbi Jason Miller, contributing writer for the Huffington Post, updated his status to say “Extremely happy that Gilad Shalit is home in Israel. A captive has been redeemed.” Many others also posted about his homecoming, including many Americans. Many teens in the US posted ‘Welcome Home Gilad Shalit!’ on their Facebook profiles.
“I’m very happy for Gilad and his family, it has been such a long, difficult time. But, at the same time I can’t help worry about the thousand prisoners Israel released. The deal was just so lopsided, it’s hard not to dwell on that as well,” junior Samantha Shanker said.
Before Shalit’s capture, Israelis have prayed for the release of other captives. Miller wrote that Shalit’s homecoming is cause for celebration and a beautiful reunion for Shalit and his family.
“I think that Gilad’s homecoming was a key point for Israel as they were able to secure the release of someone who was a type of hero to the people,” senior Jerry Thomeczek said. #
“With Gilad being released, around 500 Palestinians were freed as well, over half had which been convicted for killing Israelis,” Rothberg said. “So, in a way, the situation is bitter-sweet. But gaining back one captured soldier was far worth the sacrifice.”
There have been several Israeli petitions to block or alter the exchange, but they have been rejected by the high court. Several Israeli families who had lost loved ones in terrorist plots attacked the Shalit family and the government. Netanyahu told those families he understood their pain and stated in his address that the State of Israel will continue to fight terrorism. Shalit was the first captive Israeli soldier who has returned home in 26 years and mentioned he would be happy if others were released, but hopes his homecoming and the prisoner exchange brings forth peace. This brought many Jewish Israelis and Americans to share in the joyous occasion for the state.
“I think it’s fantastic that Gilad Shalit is finally home, but it is very scary to think about the thousand Palestinian prisoners who were freed as large portion of them are convicted terrorists,” junior Samantha Weil said. “However, bringing Gilad Shalit home, upholds the values of Israel. It upholds the treatment of the Israel Defense forces to its soldiers and it upholds that Israel is a Jewish state as saving a life through any possible means is one of the highest Jewish value. The Jewish community’s prayers are with the Shalit family, that Gilad will make a full recovery after suffering through the tremendous ordeal of five years in captivity.”
Many have posted Facebook updates about the his return. Rabbi Jason Miller, contributing writer for the Huffington Post, updated his status to say “Extremely happy that Gilad Shalit is home in Israel. A captive has been redeemed.” Many others also posted about his homecoming, including many Americans. Many teens in the US posted ‘Welcome Home Gilad Shalit!’ on their Facebook profiles.
“I’m very happy for Gilad and his family, it has been such a long, difficult time. But, at the same time I can’t help worry about the thousand prisoners Israel released. The deal was just so lopsided, it’s hard not to dwell on that as well,” junior Samantha Shanker said.
Before Shalit’s capture, Israelis have prayed for the release of other captives. Miller wrote that Shalit’s homecoming is cause for celebration and a beautiful reunion for Shalit and his family.
“I think that Gilad’s homecoming was a key point for Israel as they were able to secure the release of someone who was a type of hero to the people,” senior Jerry Thomeczek said. #
