World

Freed Israeli Soldier Arrives Home After Massive Prisoner Swap

TEL NOF AIR BASE, Israel (AP) — Freed Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit has arrived at an air base in central Israel for an eagerly awaited reunion with his family.

Schalit landed at Tel Nof air base on board a military helicopter.

His parents, Noam and Aviva, have led an emotional campaign to win their son’s release for the past five years. They have led nationwide marches and set up a protest tent outside the official residence of the prime minister.

Earlier Tuesday, Hamas militants in Gaza freed Schalit in a swap for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Ahead of the reunion, Schalit switched out of civilian clothes given to him by Hamas and into an Israeli military uniform.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

TEL NOF AIR BASE, Israel (AP) – Looking thin, weary and dazed, an Israeli soldier returned home Tuesday from more than five years of captivity in the Gaza Strip in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners whose joyful families greeted them with massive celebrations.

Sgt. Gilad Schalit, in a brief interview with Egyptian TV before being transferred to Israel, said he was “very excited to taste freedom” and had missed his family and friends. He said he feared he would remain in captivity “many more years” and worried since being told of the deal last week that last-minute hitches might cause it to collapse.

“Of course I missed my family. I missed friends, meeting people to talk to people, and not to sit all day, to do the same things,” he said.

But Schalit’s physical appearance raised questions about the condition of his captivity in the hands of the Hamas militant group. The 25-year-old appeared pale and gaunt, shifted in his seat, struggled to breathe and seemed to mumble as he answered the questions.

Later, Israeli TV stations showed him being helped into an army jeep after crossing the border into Israel. And military officials said a physical exam had found him to be in good condition.

Hamas agreed to release Schalit in exchange for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners, many of them serving life sentences for deadly attacks on Israelis. The arrivals of the prisoners set off ecstatic celebrations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, where large crowds and dignitaries greeted them.

In Gaza, prisoners embraced and shook hands with Hamas leaders at the Rafah border crossing. Some prisoners were carried on the shoulders of others. Palestinian dignitaries formed a reception line, like at a wedding, shaking hands and in some cases hugging the prisoners.

In the West Bank, released prisoners were taken to the grave of iconic Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas greeted them, and several thousand people filled the courtyard outside his headquarters to celebrate.

“We thank God for your return and your safety,” Abbas said. “You are freedom fighters and holy warriors for the sake of God and the homeland.”

But the return was marred by violence at a crossing between the West Bank and Israel. Military officials said troops fired tear gas to disperse a crowd that began to riot because of delays in the release. No injuries were reported.

The deal, the most lopsided prisoner swap in Israeli history, caps a five-and-a-half-year saga that has seen multiple Israeli military offensives in Gaza, an Israeli blockade on the territory and numerous rounds of failed negotiations.

—

Ibrahim Barzak in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Mohammed Daraghmeh in Ramallah, West Bank, and Tia Goldenberg and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

Comments (83)

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  • palerider54
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 5:10pm

    Rose-Ellen

    Your statements just reinforce what a huge huge mistake the Jews made when they disobeyed Gods orders and did not kill every man, woman, child and even their livestock when he entered into the promised land.

    God knew the depths of your peoples evil.

    Report Post »  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 7:41pm

      The term nazi does apply to this call for genocide prompted by vilification.. Thst is the epitome of nazism. They are struggling against occupation and the illigal annexation of their land during the 67 war. yes they will continue in that struggle and therefore will resort to capturing an israel isoldier again if that helps their just struggle against occupation and illigal land annexation. You and all you anti arabs on the other hand are in fact villigying them to justify not ceasing the tyranical occupation and land grab. You are the ones who are not granting them the same human rights as the israelis. you are casting aspirations against them [labeling them as existentially evil] to continue tyranical occupation and deprivation of their inherent human rights. That is the epitome of the nazi mentality. Human rights don‘t apply to them because they’re not human[they're evil]. They have not done that to israelis but rather have consistently fought against illigal occupations and land annexation. Concrete events that impacted them negatively. Initially the concrete event of the creation of israel which impacted them negatively made them fight against that state,now a 67 border israel would be acceptable.You use the nazi tactic of vilification to justify tyrany and genocide whereas they struggle against illigal occupation and land grabs. Your thinking is a quintessentiali nazi mentality. Not theirs.Theirs is a struggle for their inherent rights which have been taken from t

      Report Post »  
  • jack3146
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 5:09pm

    Remember back in’72 Isreal tracked down and killed all those terrorists. Let’s hope they keep up their track record.

    Report Post »  
    • nmgene
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:48pm

      Rose ellen, beware of cursing Israel, for you will be cursed by God. He who condemns Israel will be condemned, He who blesses Israel will be blessed. Israel is not a terrorist regime. They have never attacked first!!1 They have never been beaten even when attacked by several countries at once. Hhmm you think God might be on there side? I know he is!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • strgchris
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 3:57am

      I think Rose just needs to move her comments over to the huffington post. Oh and if you hate it here MOVE!

      Report Post »  
  • SENIORS
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 5:08pm

    1 TO 1000 ???? what about the rest of the people in The west bank and Gaza ? Are they not prisoners ? That is the largest concentration camp in History !!!. No big deal , Israel can have all the Prisoners they want without any effort , they can round every one up overnight .
    Unless conditions on the ground change , it is all a one big jail any way , any talks, agreements , prisoner exchanges is nothing but a smoke screen . The only way is real PEACE .
    Implement the two state solution , It is long overdue.

    “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.” -

    Abraham Lincoln

    Report Post »  
    • babylonvi
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 6:20pm

      On,y a raving idiot, communist revolutionary or a Palestinian Terrorist would call Gaza a ‘concentration camp’. They are free to leave whenever they choose. They can leave by boat, walk into Egypt and go anywhere they want from there, and elsewhere as long as they are unarmed and carry no explosives. Obviously you do not know what a concentration camp is really like.

      Report Post » babylonvi  
    • LVMerrily
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 2:48pm

      The Palestinians living in Gaza and West Bank ARE peaceful and work and thrive in Israel; and by a HUGE percentage prefer to live under Israeli government rather than be given to Palestine.

      Report Post »  
  • change2012
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 4:35pm

    @ Rose Ellen…
    You are the cancer tht is spreading through the world. Your ever loving ccomments and love for terrorists and HAMAS should be noted. You are a CANCER and should be eradicated.
    SHAME ON YOU, LIBTERD!!!!

    Report Post » change2012  
  • Jon
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 3:07pm

    Ha! One Israeli soldier’s all we need to handle a thousand or so terrorists.
    Really though, on a serious note, it’s great that they freed him and admirable that they were willing to go to such lengths to get their man back, but whoever rigged this deal needs to be fired. I mean really, maybe it’s the best they could get, but you‘d think they’d have been able to work out a better trade than that. Letting 1000 terrorists go in exchange for one man. Whoever negotiated this really screwed Israel over. Also, did you catch what the Palestinians were cheering? “The people want a new Schalit” right after the old man talked about ‘peace”. I’m glad the soldier got freed, but this is setting a bad precedent for the future.

    Report Post »  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 7:59pm

      Of course they want a new prisoner. This isn’t a game. They are illigally occupied and israel has refused to go back to the legal 67 border mandate. They are the ones who have violated the rights of the palestinians and so of course the palestinians will continue to resist israeli tyrany and settlement land grabs and ethnic cleasnsing all of which are iligal and unjust. if the only way to proceed in their having justice restored to them is to take more soldiers prisoners they will try that because they are unjustly occupied and their homes are being taken by zionists from bklyn which violates basic principles of universal human rights. Their just struggle continues! That you support denying them their rights makes you all racist nazis. No kidding .No exageration. But hopefully the palestinians will prevail andi israel will cease it’s tyranical occupation and ethnic cleasnsing and let the arabs return to their pre 67 homes. until them the struggle continues. long live the palestinians and their defenders and this is a long deserved victory for the freedom fighting hamas.Remember the irish resisted the british for over 700 hundred yrs. and one day the british recognized their unjust plight and peace resulted!Long live palestine and a just 67 border israel. Let the anti arab/palestinian right wing american or israeli nazis go by the way of the 20th c ones. The reality on the ground today trumped the narrative of todays nazi [anti arab] propagandists!

      Report Post »  
  • joelas
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 2:40pm

    In a 2 party willing trade, they have just established that one Israeli is worth 1027 Palestinians.

    Report Post »  
    • mompatriot
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 6:16pm

      Amen

      Report Post »  
    • nmgene
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:59pm

      Rose Ellen;
      There will never be another 1967 border. In the history of the world when you are attacked and you win the war the land you conquered is now yours, everyone but the US follows this rule. The Palestinians are terrorists always have been always will be. No country will ever conquer Israel, they are Protected by the one and only God, Jehova. All of this land including Gaza was Israels before and will be again. The Arab countries wont even except the Palestinians into there countries. They are used as pawns to harrass Israel. Read Revalation in the Bible and you will learn what will happen when Israel is attacked.

      Report Post »  
  • Soul Leister
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 1:04pm

    Hamas might want to start scanning the 1027 for explosive charges (surgically implanted) eventually they will return to their terror cells and then KABOOM… exponentially fewer terror cells. Then again mayby they just used tracking chips (like the ones used on the judges in south america to find them when they get kidnapped)… better targeting data would be hard to come by.

    Report Post » Soul Leister  
  • tadroid
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 12:55pm

    I guess its official. One Israeli soldier is worth a thousand terrorists.

    Report Post » tadroid  
  • leftcoastrightwinger
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 12:50pm

    @Rose-Ellen

    palestinians are also christian [going back to the time of Christ].

    Just because the Palestinian people were around during the time of Christ does not make them Christians unless they proclaim the name of Jesus as the Messiah that died for their sins. Praying to Allah is not the same as praying to Jesus. Allah was the moon god dating back to the time of their prophet Mohammad; therefore, they are not praying to my God. I mean no contempt, but it needs to be clarified. We do not just get to pray to whoever we want, and say we are all worshipping the same god.

    Report Post » leftcoastrightwinger  
    • pat
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 4:08pm

      rose ellen needs to get a dictionary (Christian) and a new history book. i recommend ‘fantastic victory’ by cleon skousen to find out what happened in the 1967 war.

      Report Post »  
    • change2012
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 4:37pm

      You are the ancer that needs to be eradicated. Go join your HAMAS loving crowd and strap something around yourself – spare the rest of us!!!! You are one of the useful idiots they count on. YOUR PARENTS MUST BE VERY PROUD, they raised a moron!

      Report Post » change2012  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 5:12pm

      There are palestinians who are christians,speak arabic and ergo-the arabic word allah[God]is used whereever that word is found in the bible ,or in thir catholic prayers. that’s just a fact .If you do not know that there are palestinian christians then that says alot about how ignorant the indoctination of the right wing zionist media has made you. Or maybe it is easier to lie about that inconvenient little fact.[sirhan who assassinated RFK over his one sided unjust support of israel was a catholic palestinian] Perhaps had RFK not been brainwashed by the zionists and done his homework we would have had peace by now[israel would have under US pressure returned to 67 borders-9-11 would never have happened etc]..As christians we’re called to be spirtiual beings-our home is heaven not earth and preoccupation with terresttial bounderies is about as unspiritual as you can get. We’re called to be peacemakers-you have inverted Christianity and claim you’re called to commit genocide on arabs [many of whom are palestinian christians going back to Christ] Shame on you manipulated gulls. or as Jesus the lover of all mankind says-forgive them Abba-Allah they know not what they are doing or saying]. One things for sure-there’s nothing american in any of your genocidal and nazi sentiments! But thank God while you gulls are expressing your genocidal unamerican nazi positions the israeli government had the good sense to do the right thing and negotiated with Hamas to free their own. and

      Report Post »  
  • Soul Leister
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 12:40pm

    Once again Arabs prove a single Isreali is more valuable than over a thousand allah ahkbar fanatics… had they wanted to impress ‘anyone’ that the Arabs themselves valued the lives of their useful idiots they would have demanded a one for one swap (at least that way they look like equals)… sadly, their idiot leaders do not hold the lives of their own people in high regard (unlike the Isrealis)… I too will take any Isreali over any thousand ignorant arabs, and in so doing hold them in the same regard as their leaders hold them. They need new leadership, any leadership would be an improvement. Welcome home soldier, you are truly valued and loved.

    Report Post » Soul Leister  
  • rose-ellen
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 12:36pm

    They do it because they[the israelis] know their occupation is illigal and un just and the struggle against it is part and parcel of occupation. These are not simply criminals but combatants in a struggle against occupation and illigal seisure of land[in 67]. Yes they[the released prisoners] killed civilians but everyone including americans and israelis kill civilians in conflicts. We avoid it when possible but when it is in our interest to kill civilians we do. Give them precision weapons and they’ll atempt to just targer the military but they will not cease resising occupation just like we did not hesitiate to target cities and villages when it was in our interests during our wars. And still do.We had our reasons for killing civilians and they have theirs[to resist what they perceive is illigal and unjust].Your self righteous indignation against targeting and killing civilians in a conflict is hypocritical and hamas and everyone knows it . obviously the israelis know it too!Thank you Hamas for fighting for your occupied victimized people-victimized by superior military tyranical zionist occupation but their military superiority does not make them righteous and does not make your resistance wrong].

     
    • Sargint Rock
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 1:45pm

      One day you will stand before the true GOD to receive justice for your sick, twisted beliefs and assumptions! For those who say there is no evil, I offer this brain-washed person as exhibit A.

      Report Post » Sargint Rock  
    • Sargint Rock
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 1:50pm

      Precision weapons so they could target schools and nurseries instead of just buses? Your ignorance of their motives is evil and condemns you!

      Report Post » Sargint Rock  
    • Tom K
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 2:51pm

      @ROSE-ELLEN: Where do I even begin ? You are wrong on so many levels. God our Father in Heaven promised and gave Israel their homeland. Every time the idiot Arabs attack the Jews, this homeland GAINS territory, another blessing from God. During the so called six days war in 1967 Israel was attacked by Arabs from three seperate directions with superior fire power and God the Father aided His chosen people – Israel won and gained territory. The Muslim‘s moon god can not compete since it is a figment of many imaginations including your’s, ROSE-ELLEN. One Jewish soldier is worth far more 1,027 desert dung beetles.

      Report Post »  
    • pat
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 3:59pm

      what history book are You reading from?

      Report Post »  
    • pat
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 4:09pm

      arabs are anti-Christian. at least have some integrity when defending your people

      Report Post »  
    • nolongerconfused
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 4:39pm

      You are obviously TOTALLY IGNORANT of the history of Israel. So why don’t you educate yourself before spouting such garbage.

      Report Post »  
    • DIDyer
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 6:32pm

      Rose Ellen since you claim to be so smart regarding your knowledge of Israel being guilty of illegal occupation I would like to you to answer a few questions.1.When was there EVER a country of Palestine & who & when was it founded? 2. What was its borders? 3. What was its capital? 4. What were its major cities? 5.Name one “Palestinian leader before Arafat? 6.What was the language of the country of Palestine? 7.What was the prevalent religion of the “ancient country of Palestine? 8.What was the name of its currency? 9.Since there isn’t any such country of Palestine today, what caused its demise & when did it occur? 10.Why did the Palestinians NEVER try to become independent until after the devastating defeat of invading ARAB STATES in the 1967 Day War? Think about this, Arabic people rule 77% of all the land in the Middle East, Israel 23?, and the Arabs have all the wealth of the oil. So now we have 17 nations of Arabs with 500 times more land than Israel, with all their oil wealth, & they are themselves refusing to settle their own kinsmen into their countries. Why do you think this is?? You know there actually IS a Palestinian State, it’s name is Jordan. Why won’t Jordan let their own people settle there? Here is the truth, Arabic leaders are keeping their own people as refugees in camps to use as propaganda war against Israel and NO amount of capitulation from Israel for peace will ever stop the Arabs from trying to wipe them off the face of the map.Please study both s

      Report Post »  
    • nmgene
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 12:09am

      It does no good to try to explain anything to Rose Ellen, she is a brainwashed idiot who does not understand the Bible. She is twisting the Bible to her way of Phsychotic thinking. The truth of the Bible could set her free if she would read it with understanding.

      Report Post »  
  • jedidiah
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 12:15pm

    I feel horrible for Gilad Schalit — not just for what he’s been through, but for what he will now have to go through.

    It will be great fun for him every time he meets the mother of a child murdered by one of the monsters just set free to kill again. Imagine how great he will feel with each new murderous act of terror by these miscreants. He may not realize it yet, but he has been condemned to a life of regret by the fools who arranged this indefensible exchange.

    I swear by all things holy that were I him, I’d have taken my own life in the Palestinian prison before allowing this travesty to occur in my name.

    Report Post » jedidiah  
  • djnfla
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 12:00pm

    I am very thankful that Gilad has been released. I find his appearance unsettling because he is so thin, it is shocking and a disturbing reminder of an ugly chapter in the treatment of Jews in the past…he looks like he has NOT been treated well.

    Report Post »  
  • kenr1963
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:51am

    For one life come on.How many people will lose their life because of this swap.Not trying to sound callus and if that had been my son that was being held hostage I’d been doing everything to get him free too.But this is beyond the relm of common sense.For a country to let this happen seems unreal.

    Report Post »  
  • Guitar Master
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:27am

    ——————————————-
    From The REPORTER
    ——————————————-

    Hard to believe or imagine that any civilized country would release over 1,000 hardened criminals and terrorists for one man. Does this make sense to anyone. What if America would have done that, or Great Britain? People would be up in arms over it. . . . . unbelievable!

    Report Post »  
    • Ok-Sure
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:45am

      We would if it was Obummer’s daddy, or any congress member’s family. I am not sure on the background of this soldier but i am pretty sure our American Forces have some very valuable soldiers. I am hoping this guy is Rambo re-incarnated and will go on a personal mission and to destroy every one of the thousand militants exchanged for his freedom. Glad he is home. Wish we could be done with war. :( Necessary evils are not fun.

      Report Post »  
    • brianoflondon
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:45am

      It’s a peculiarity of Israelis and (to a lesser extent) Jews to be able to hold internally conflicting views. We‘re all delighted he’s home, but there is massive anger at the price.

      This may well lead to the death sentence for future terrorists: that’s the only way we can prevent our politicians from making these deals.

      Report Post » brianoflondon  
    • Soul Leister
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 12:56pm

      Sometimes, in the pursuit of meaningful peace, one side will repatriate prisoners held… to show mercy… supremely confident that the formerly held will tell of how much better they were treated than the other side treats its prisoners… thousands will hear it unfiltered by their propagandists… and it will be repeatedly told… win their hearts and their minds will follow.

      Report Post » Soul Leister  
    • Soul Leister
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 12:58pm

      Isrealis 1027… Hamas 1. Guess will be winning the war of hearts.

      Report Post » Soul Leister  
  • sbenard
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:19am

    The Palestinians shouted, “The people want a new Schalit”?

    Well, that tells us where this is headed, doesn’t it? More terror, more bloodshed, more kidnappings, and more hostages.

    Meanwhile, Schalit looks terrible! I can’t wait to hear him tell of how he was treated by these monsters in human form!

    Report Post » sbenard  
    • Applehead
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:25am

      God Bless you Rabbi and your courage!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_ZiVRedU-4&feature=related

      Report Post »  
    • Servant Of YHVH
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:40am

      Netanyahu should have included in his trade, thousands of bullets for the Israeli weapons since they now have over a thosand more targets for target practice now. I can see it now, an Israeli soldier sees a terrorist trying to commit a crime and shoots him. I can hear him saying, “that’s one, only 1026 more to shoot”. GO ISRAEL!!!

      Report Post » Servant Of YHVH  
    • JBaer
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 1:28pm

      That was exactly the words that jumped out at me. “We want another Shalit”
      The Palestinians will not stop with their mayhem. They don’t want peace, they want Israel.

      Report Post » JBaer  
  • jrfox
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 9:47am

    It still was unbalanced.
    1000+ pediphile worshipers, worthless trash for 1 god fearing good man.
    We should of sent all thier trash, should made them take all of it, the whole pile of cr@p.

    Report Post »  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 12:22pm

      palestinians are also christian [going back to the time of Christ].

       
    • LVMerrily
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 2:42pm

      Hope next time they take no prisoners.

      Report Post »  
  • joe1234
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 9:45am

    Israel was very foolish to do this…it will encourage more kidnappings….they’ve lost their nerve

    Report Post » joe1234  
    • palerider54
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 7:58pm

      I disagree with you Joe,

      I think Israel is being dumb like a fox.

      When Israel drops the hammer on the animals attacking her, she will be able to say,

      WE GAVE UP OVER A THOUSAND CRIMINALS IN THE NAME OF PEACE, WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT?

      Think about it. Why else would they do such an obvious dumb move.

      Report Post »  
    • nmgene
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 12:15am

      No Rose Ellen they were Christian, they are now muslim terrorists!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
  • TWO BITS
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 9:05am

    This is a truly bittersweet moment, and one that tests leaders. The Schalit family has endured five years of uncertainty, but these released prisoners are reportedly responsible for as many as 275 Israeli deaths. Some of the families of their victims were interviewed on Fox, and their dismay was evident and touching. Blessings to all of them!

    Report Post » TWO BITS  
  • LOJ
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 9:05am

    So glad that Gilad was not harmed…Happy Days for him and his family!

    Report Post »  
  • truth123
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 8:44am

    Do the math and you will understand why Israelis are much more valuable than the trash generated from Mohammed. 1000 depraved does not even equal 1 moral.

    Report Post »  
    • SamIamTwo
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 8:53am

      Correct…and the nutz put women and children in front of them when they fight…it’s so they can yell, you killed our women and children…total evil bunch of people.

      Report Post » SamIamTwo  
  • TxMadMac
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 8:20am

    What’s amusing is the palistinans took their released murderers to celebrate at the grave of an avowed homosexual who died of aids. WOW ! What a victory for them. Would not a shepherd leave his flock of 99 to find his one lost sheep. I’m so proud of Bibi and will keep him and Israel and her people in my prayers !

    Report Post »  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 8:20am

    That guy’s name in the clip is Darwish Darwish? How original… Did his parents stutter or something?

    Report Post » biohazard23  
  • Darla_K
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 8:06am

    1 for over 1,000 prisoners? What a joke. Israel has alot more patience than I would have. I am happy for the family of the prisoner and may God be with them.

    Report Post » Darla_K  
    • USAF2003
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 8:14am

      Now send a special forces team in and slaughter the 1,000 +.

      Report Post »  
    • HairRazor
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:11am

      that was about an even swap.. probably could have gone another 50 to 100.. but, it was about right.

      Report Post » HairRazor  
  • copatriots
    Posted on October 18, 2011 at 7:56am

    Hey Blazers,

    I have mad respect for your geo-political as well as Biblical knowledge. While I am thrilled Shalit is released, I am trying to understand Israel’s swap of 1,027 for one. My gut tells me this inequitable trade has consequences far beyond the surface.

    Appreciate your input and thoughts.

    Report Post »  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 8:06am

      I was thinking the same thing. 1027 for 1?? Something ain’t right.

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • copatriots
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 8:22am

      Morning BIO!

      USAF2003 above just posted where my line of thinking is going. Thinking out loud here but…… Israel wants these prisoners out of their country when the SHTF. Obama seems to be creating a crisis colluding with the Saudis against Iran. Who does Palestine side with and where will these 1,027 be when the Sunnis and Shiites go at each other? Hmmmmm……

      Report Post »  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 8:34am

      Morning, CoPat! Baby’s kicking me like crazy. Guess he got a sugar rush from my orange juice at breakfast!

      Hmmmm….. Good point. They were all convicted for carrying out deadly attacks, so perhaps their “talents” would be useful elsewhere….? And Obumbler will never let a (manufactured) crisis go to waste so what are they up to? Strange things must be afoot……

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • copatriots
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 8:53am

      Kick away, Little One, at the sugar and joy of life!

      Will be so exciting to learn of our newest addition to the Blaze family. : ) Blessing upon you and yours, BIO, as you welcome this sweet child.

      Report Post »  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 9:48am

      Thank you so much! That’s so sweet. But I wouldn’t expect anything less from a fellow patriot. :)

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 9:51am

      It’s because Israel has respect for human life and the Muslims do not. I almost said Palestinians do not but, after reading it, that was too narrow.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • copatriots
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:15am

      I agree, GONZ, but why now? Israel surely has respected life throughout Shalit’s five years of captivity. Something wicked seems to be coming……and Israel knows it.

      Report Post »  
    • sbenard
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 10:29am

      This is NOT the first time Israel has traded hundreds of prisoners for one or two hostages. They did in in the 1970′s also.

      Report Post » sbenard  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:02am

      Yes, they did. But what’s going on this time? It can’t be anything good…..

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • Servant Of YHVH
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 11:47am

      @copatriots
      I feel the primary reason for this trade is that while Bibi has basically told obama to “stick it”, he still feels the need to continue to try for acceptance of Israel by the rest of the world. I‘m quite sure he knows that it will never happen but I would say that he is an idealist who doesn’t give up his hope. Also, it may be that Israel has plans for things in the works and they are trying to avoid doing too much until they got Gilad back because of things that they might be planning would have guaranteed Gilad’s immediate demise. This is what I’m hoping for because if that is the case then they will more than make up for disparity of the number of terrorists given up in the trade.

      Report Post » Servant Of YHVH  
    • mompatriot
      Posted on October 18, 2011 at 6:21pm

      Bibi is NO DUMMY. Israel with him at the helm will do just fine.

      Report Post »  
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