A President, A Cleric & A Shy Soldier !!

I Posted the interview below in Facebook yesterday, but wanted to wait for a good English translation before posting here & in fact it has permitted me to tie two stories together!!   

The first is that President Shimon Peres visited the Shalit residence at Mitzpe Hila in the Galilee last Monday Afternoon to meet with freed hostage Gilad Shalit and his parents, Aviva and Noam.  The Shalits waited for Peres at the entrance to their home and shook hands with him heartily.  President Peres then hugged Gilad and said, "You have no idea how excited I am to meet you here in your home, alive, healthy and whole."    Peres praised Shalit for his ability to survive the harsh experience of captivity and isolation and  told the Shalits that he is "glad that they were stubborn and did not let up for a moment."    I personally believe it was in fact this elevation from the realms of Personal tragedy to National situation that enabled Gilad's freedom to be achieved,  Baruch Ha'Shem!!!

And yesterday yet another story concerning Gilad Shalit arose ....  Palestine Today  reported that prominent Saudi Sheikh Awad al Qarni has offered a $100,000 reward to any "palestinian"  who kidnaps another Israeli soldier.   He apparently made the offer on a Facebook page that has some 700 fans so far.  I searched but couldn't locate it.  I did however find an English excerpt from a Saudi Newspaper in 2009  where this same "cleric"  issued a Fatwa to attack all Israelis and Israeli interests anywhere in the world.  The contrast in these two news snippets could not be more pronounced!!

Israel MUST now renege in it's 'deal' with the Arabs re the release of another 550 murderers ..... the conditions being broken now thus negating the further releases.  The first list of 477 terrorists already freed for Shalit included dozens serving 924 life terms for murdering or organizing the murder of Jews.  The freeing of such convicted child murderers  to our streets & our communities all but guarantees further future loss of Jewish life.   Enough is Enough is Enough!!!!   This deal perverts justice and is a slap in the face for all victims of terror and their families. It promotes future terror as can clearly be seen from Al Qarni's inducements to future kidnap horror.  That Gilad was mistreated & malnourished in captivity is clearly evidenced by his gaunt appearance & nervous gait .... see the interview below.  The wounds sustained in Gilads capture did not receive adequate medical care according to his dad.   His suffering is almost unthinkable  .... His Courage is Inspirational.  He is a Soldier!

I read in Arutz Sheva last Sunday evening that Reserve Soldiers are requesting that if they are captured in future then NOT to redeem them with a prisoner exchange even at the cost of their own lives ~ They are Israeli soldiers and know the risks. But they do not want to be responsible for the senseless shedding of yet more Jewish blood by freeing terrorists on their behalf.   Each one of them deserves a medal of Honour.  The IDF is the Most Moral Army in the World & yet it is so Villified by that world.  

"Love has its place, as does hate. Peace has its place, as does war. Mercy has its place, as do cruelty and revenge. Never, ever deal with terrorists. Hunt them down and, more important, mercilessly punish those states and groups that fund, arm, support, or simply allow their territories to be used by the terrorists with impunity. No trait is more justified than revenge in the right time and place."   
~ Rabbi Meir Kahane Zt'l ~

MAZEL TOV TO THE SHALIT FAMILY!!!!!

An English Translation of the Conversation ~ Subtitled ~ below ....