“In the debate on the prisoner exchange for the release of Gilad Shalit, many Israelis identify with the suffering of the Shalit family and feel a duty to return a captive soldier, while others feel anger over the release of murderers who slaughtered hundreds of Israelis.

Symbolism has also received a lot of attention, but the issue that has been shoved aside in the debate – and it will surely be raised in Monday’s petitions to the High Court of Justice – is the risk posed by the prisoners being set free.” 

Read more…