Newsweek takes a fascinating and critical look at Israeli prisoner exchanges for captured soldiers:
Analysts say there’s an even greater threat, however: the strategic danger that prisoner swaps will encourage terrorists to take more prisoners, and not only in Israel. “[It] says to future terrorists that if you can get somebody valuable enough, Israelis will trade,” says Sandler. “They’ll trade if you capture a soldier or children. And the exchange rate is very high.” Indeed, a kind of inflation can result. Sandler’s data, collected from across the world over 37 years, show that for every kidnapper paid off, 2.5 more abductions took place . . . .
This suggests that terrorist strategists worldwide may be watching Israel closely—and concluding that it would serve them well to capture Western soldiers deployed to hot spots in Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere. It points to an awkward truth for Israel: the tiny state often feels that it’s left on its own to face a great many dangers, and that’s true. But in this case, at least, the actions it takes in response can end up endangering us all.
Meanwhile, a group of reservists are sending a letter to the IDF brass stating that if they’re captured, they don’t want the state to negotiate for their release.
The return of Israel’s eight MIAs is an emotionally charged issue. Should Israel continue pursuing such deals? Is it in Western interests to support them? Post your comments below.
