The Growing Rift in Israel Over the Hostage Crisis

I remember attending a meeting at the Teaneck Jewish Center about 15 years ago. The purpose of this meeting, or so, I thought, was to raise greater awareness about the plight of then Israeli hostage Gilad Shalit, who had been captured by Hamas in a cross-border raid during which two Israeli soldiers were killed, and two others wounded.  Gilad Shalit remained a hostage for 5 years.   Among the speakers were supporters of the Shalit family, as well as families members of Israeli soldiers similarly kidnapped by Hezbollah in the north.  

Soon after the meeting began, I became very uncomfortable. What had been advertised as a meeting to raise awareness about the plight of Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser, and Eldad Regev, (the latter two were eventually killed by Hezbollah, and their remains were returned as part of a different lopsided deal) and to advocate for their return to Israel, quickly degenerated into a pressure campaign that held the Israeli government responsible for their continued captivity.  On the one hand.  I could understand the desire of Gilad’s family to do everything they could to bring him home. Yet I felt manipulated if for no other reason than it was not the fault of the Israeli government that he was still held in Gaza. I quickly understood the ultimate goal of this campaign was to build public support for a deal to secure Gilad’s release at any price. Which is of course exactly what happened.

After about 45 minutes of discussion, the public was invited to ask questions, or make comments. Of course, most of the attendees were committed to Gilad’s immediate release, and made statements supportive of this approach.  I offered a comment, one which I have shared with the congregation for decades, each time the Israeli government is forced into a position where it must consider terribly lopsided deals for the return of its citizens and soldiers. I reminded the organizers that there was a reason why the Mishnah warns us against overpaying for the release of captors, for to do otherwise would incentivize the taking of captives.  As you might imagine, my comments were not popular with the organizers.  But they did find a receptive audience among others who similarly felt manipulated.

The wisdom of the Mishnah has motivated my public concern about each of Israel’s previous lopsided hostage deals. Each of them has brought murder and destruction in their wake. Of course we are glad that Gilad Shalit was returned to Israel.  But Israel paid a bitter price for it, including the release of over 1000 terrorists, who were responsible for the murder of 569 Israelis. Indeed, the Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza right now was released in the deal that brought Gilad Shalit home. I wonder how many Israelis who supported that deal in 2011 would support such a deal now.

As you (hopefully) know, I will talk about my recent mission to Israel this Shabbat morning. One of the things I will talk about is the broad national consensus prioritizing the importance of bringing all the hostages home.  Yet in recent weeks a significant rift has emerged among the families of the hostages. The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum, the main body representing the families of those still held in captivity, is demanding and pressuring the government to literally pay any price for the return of their loved ones. And who could blame them?  It’s been more than three months, and over 130 Israelis are still being held captive by the vile Hamas terrorist organization. God only knows the suffering they have endured. Based on the horrible stories told by the captives who have been returned to Israel, we can only imagine the violence and terror they are experiencing.  I understand the temptation to blame to Israeli government.

But at the same time, there has emerged another group, the Tikva Forum, a smaller but significant group, comprised of families of hostages who prioritize the fight against Hamas even over the safety of their loved ones. They understand that it is Hamas, not the Israeli government that is responsible for their continued captivity. Despite their concern for their family members, they have placed the safety of their fellow citizens and the good of the nation even over the release of their loved ones.

Since the war began, I’ve read hundreds of articles, attended dozens of meetings and seminars, and watched countless painful videos. But among the most painful was debate between two parents, each of whom has a son held hostage in Gaza. They may have told a personal story, but they represent the various approaches which I have written about today. As I watched the debate (I inserted the link for those who speak Hebrew), I thought about that the meeting in Teaneck that I attended all those years ago, and how the same difficult choices are before the Israeli public once again, this time on a much greater scale.  I can only hope and pray that Israel’s leaders have learned from previous such situations, and make the best decisions amidst the competing voices.