This seems like a dumb move on Israel's part. Although I am aware that Mr. Shalit's plight has affected many Israelis (as evidenced by periodic Facebook posts by a high school friend who works for the Israeli government over the years), but is released a thousand prisoners to get one guy back worth the inevitable shiatstorm?

spartacus_prime: This seems like a dumb move on Israel's part. Although I am aware that Mr. Shalit's plight has affected many Israelis (as evidenced by periodic Facebook posts by a high school friend who works for the Israeli government over the years), but is released a thousand prisoners to get one guy back worth the inevitable shiatstorm?

For Israel it is. One, Israel has mandatory military service. Their implied assurance to all Israelis is that no matter what, we will return your son or daughter to you. It's what keeps people gladly reporting to do their duty and keeps the military in high regard.

On a slightly more cynical note, I think it plays into their desire to be seen as the victim in the conflict. Gilad was kidnapped on Israeli soil. Illegally taken. Many of the prisoners were legitimately convicted of serious crimes. If and when they go back to terrorism, Israel can claim to be the victim again. We released these people, it was up to Hamas to keep them in line. They could not, so it provides justification for Israeli offensive moves.

On a more practical note, keeping thousands of Palestinian prisoners is both expensive and unsustainable from a political and practical standpoint. Prisoner releases had to happen eventually.

/Also, always glad to see internal Israel political debate here. Die hard supporters of Israel and critics alike often think of the Israeli population as a unified political voice when it is anything but. It takes like 2 minutes talking to people in Jerusalem before someone says, "fark the settlers."

Israelis are activists and commentators got tired very quickly of Netanyahu pushing himself into every scene with released soldier Gilad Shalit, so, naturally, they went straight to photoshop

FTFY.

Is it acceptable to show him hanging out with Hitler?

Jake Havechek: sweetmelissa31: Jackson Herring: ^ OK that's pretty awesome ^

What's the deal with that picture? I'm out of the loop :(

When a FARKer who usually inserts himself into every Israel thread posted about how jubilant he was that Russian nuclear scientists and ordinary people unaffiliated with said scientists coming back from Iran were all killed in a plane crash, he posted that pic.

It was a commercial airliner if I recall correctly. All sorts of people on it.

ArgusRun: spartacus_prime: This seems like a dumb move on Israel's part. Although I am aware that Mr. Shalit's plight has affected many Israelis (as evidenced by periodic Facebook posts by a high school friend who works for the Israeli government over the years), but is released a thousand prisoners to get one guy back worth the inevitable shiatstorm?

For Israel it is. One, Israel has mandatory military service. Their implied assurance to all Israelis is that no matter what, we will return your son or daughter to you. It's what keeps people gladly reporting to do their duty and keeps the military in high regard.

On a slightly more cynical note, I think it plays into their desire to be seen as the victim in the conflict. Gilad was kidnapped on Israeli soil. Illegally taken. Many of the prisoners were legitimately convicted of serious crimes. If and when they go back to terrorism, Israel can claim to be the victim again. We released these people, it was up to Hamas to keep them in line. They could not, so it provides justification for Israeli offensive moves.

On a more practical note, keeping thousands of Palestinian prisoners is both expensive and unsustainable from a political and practical standpoint. Prisoner releases had to happen eventually.

/Also, always glad to see internal Israel political debate here. Die hard supporters of Israel and critics alike often think of the Israeli population as a unified political voice when it is anything but. It takes like 2 minutes talking to people in Jerusalem before someone says, "fark the settlers."


Hadn't thought of it like that. Great post and thanks.

Jake Havechek: slc11082: Dr Dreidel: Israelis are activists and commentators got tired very quickly of Netanyahu pushing himself into every scene with released soldier Gilad Shalit, so, naturally, they went straight to photoshop

FTFY.

Then why do they keep electing that asshole?

Because the other asshole might get elected.

hahah democracy. so lame and awesome at the same time

ordinarysteve: Jake Havechek: slc11082: Dr Dreidel: Israelis are activists and commentators got tired very quickly of Netanyahu pushing himself into every scene with released soldier Gilad Shalit, so, naturally, they went straight to photoshop

FTFY.

Then why do they keep electing that asshole?

Because the other asshole might get elected.

hahah democracy. so lame and awesome at the same time

Yup. It's basically the same scenario as plays out in the US every 4-8 years, only with MKs instead of the population.

The Knesset's coalitions are always Shas + other religious nutbags + centrists vs Labour + secular folks + centrists. The centrists' alliances are temporary and fleeting, like the Independent vote in the US, and they make up enough of a bloc (usually) to be the deciding factor.

It's why my aunt moved back to the States. At least here, we can set our watches to the WHARGARBLE.

// and in the Knesset, they keep the same names, rather than just the same party

Fark is now greenlighting +972 links?

that's only a couple of steps above greenlighting crap from Electronic Intifada

still, Bibi needs to be in the next photoshop contest

Sock Ruh Tease: When a FARKer who usually inserts himself into every Israel thread posted about how jubilant he was that Russian nuclear scientists and ordinary people unaffiliated with said scientists coming back from Iran were all killed in a plane crash, he posted that pic.

It was a commercial airliner if I recall correctly. All sorts of people on it.

Seriously? He's gotten that bad?

*sigh*

You used to be cool, T. You used to be cool.

Ok, the x-ray made me spew. That was good.

blahpers: Sock Ruh Tease: When a FARKer who usually inserts himself into every Israel thread posted about how jubilant he was that Russian nuclear scientists and ordinary people unaffiliated with said scientists coming back from Iran were all killed in a plane crash, he posted that pic.

It was a commercial airliner if I recall correctly. All sorts of people on it.

Seriously? He's gotten that bad?

*sigh*

You used to be cool, T. You used to be cool.

When I found out you could block not only users but people quoting those users, it was my favorite day on Fark. I can actually read Israel threads now. Of course, they're a lot shorter, too...

/Can't believe I used to like him