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Amichai Eliyahu

The unbearable price of freedom

As a government minister opposed to this deal, I must state clearly: Releasing terrorists is a moral crisis that threatens Israel's security
FILE: Rescue forces and police at the scene of a suicide bombing attack in a crowded bus, at Shmuel HaNavi Neighborhood in Jerusalem, Israel, on August 19, 2003, 23 people killed and over 130 wounded. Majdi Zatari, convicted of the bombing, is on the list of prisoners slated for release. (Flash90)
FILE: Rescue forces and police at the scene of a suicide bombing attack in a crowded bus, at Shmuel HaNavi Neighborhood in Jerusalem, Israel, on August 19, 2003, 23 people killed and over 130 wounded. Majdi Zatari, convicted of the bombing, is on the list of prisoners slated for release. (Flash90)

The world must understand what is truly happening in Israel these days. While global media celebrates the return of hostages – and indeed, every life saved is precious – a darker, more sinister exchange is taking place behind the headlines.

In the coming weeks, Israel will release some of the most dangerous terrorists ever held in our prisons. These are not mere foot soldiers or low-level operatives – they are the masterminds, the senior commanders, the architects of terror who transformed the Second Intifada into the darkest period in our nation’s history. They are, make no mistake, the next Sinwars in the making.

Let me be crystal clear about who we are releasing:

Zakariya Zubeidi, who commanded the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades terror wing in Jenin, orchestrated countless attacks against Israeli civilians. Ahmad Barghouti, serving 13 life sentences, orchestrated the deadliest suicide bombing campaign we’ve known, from the Seafood Market Restaurant massacre to the slaughter in Neve Yaakov.

The numbers tell a horrifying story: Thaabet Merdawi, 21 Israelis dead, 200 wounded; the duo of Wael Qassem and Wassam Abbasi, 35 Israelis murdered in their attacks, from Moment Cafe to the Hebrew University cafeteria; Majdi Zatari, 23 victims in a single bus in Jerusalem.

Most disturbing of all, some of these terrorists have already proven they will return to terrorism. Ibrahim Salah and Ibrahim Shalash, released in the Shalit deal, were re-arrested for terrorism. Today, they are being released again.

The strategic price we are paying is staggering. Hamas is receiving back its expert terrorist infrastructure builders, the commanders who will train the next generation of killers.

As I write these lines, my heart is with Eitan Gonen, whose daughter Romi finally returned home after 471 days of nightmare in the hands of Hamas beasts. For the past year and a half, I have witnessed his pain on every visit to Kfar Vradim. I saw in his eyes the deep concern of a father for his daughter, heard in his voice the quiet cry that echoed within us all.

One eye weeps with joy for Romi and all those returning home – young people kidnapped from the Nova music festival, mothers taken from their beds. The other eye weeps bitter tears at the price – the release of terrorist commanders with the blood of hundreds of Israelis on their hands, and those yet to be on their hands, and for the hostages still trapped in Gaza’s dark tunnels.

With the release of Emily, Doron, and Romi, joy and pain intermingle, hope and fear dance together in our hearts. And through it all, we continue to fight, to pray, to hope – and above all, to remember. Remember those still in captivity, remember the victims of terror, remember that the struggle for our home is not yet over.

As a minister who opposes this deal, I must state clearly:

The world must see this impossible equation. Today we celebrate the return of three brave souls who survived 471 days in captivity, while simultaneously unleashing their captors’ commanders back to their terror bases.

Let the world witness the Palestinians’ choice: they celebrate these mass murderers as heroes, while we celebrate the triumph of life over death. But make no mistake, this celebration comes at an unbearable price. For every innocent soul returning home, we are releasing those who will orchestrate the next wave of terror. For every family reunited, we risk countless others being torn apart tomorrow.

This is not simply a prisoner exchange – it is a moral crisis that strikes at the heart of our nation’s security. While my heart rejoices for each hostage returning home, my conscience cannot ignore the blood that will be shed by those we release today. The struggle for our home, for our very existence, is not yet over and today’s decisions may haunt us for generations to come.

About the Author
Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu is Israel's Minister of Heritage and a member of the Otzma Yehudit party.
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