Israel offers to free Kuntar in exchange for kidnapped soldiers

[sharonbn]

Roni Sofer
Published: 05.26.08, 20:39 / Israel News

Prisoner swap deal about to materialize? Israel has expressed its willingness to free Samir Kuntar, the person responsible for the murder of four members of the Haran family, and four other Lebanese prisoners, in exchange for the release of kidnapped Israel Defense Forces soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, whose abduction started the Second Lebanon War.

Hizbullah has yet to respond to the offer, but the organization's leader Hassan Nasrallah hinted Monday evening that "Samir Kuntar and his brothers will soon return to Lebanon."

It appears that the Israeli threat to declare Goldwasser and Regev fallen IDF soldiers caused Nasrallah to soften his stance and omit two demands he had insisted on so far: The release of Lebanese and Palestinian prisoners in exchange for information on the Israeli captives' condition, and the release of Palestinian, Jordanian and Syrian prisoners jailed in Israel in addition to Lebanese prisoners.

Another issue which has yet to be clarified is the information on the fate of IDF navigator Ron Arad. Israel had agreed to release Kuntar as part of the second stage of a previous prisoner exchange deal with Hizbullah in exchange for certified and proven information on Arad's fate.

Hizbullah supplied information, but it was not new and did not include proof or testimonies regarding Arad's fate after being handed over to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

Israel may have agreed to release Kuntar at this time following a Hizbullah commitment to deliver new information on the missing navigator. An unrealistic option is that Israel decided to soften its original stance as well without receiving final and certified information on Arad.

The agreement to release Kuntar may be an Israeli concession in exchange for a Hizbullah agreement to cede the demand to release Palestinian and other prisoners.

Deal will take time
At this stage, according to senior officials in Jerusalem, the official Israel will not respond to the Hizbullah leader's remarks. It turns out, however, that about two weeks ago Israel relayed its last offer at this stage of the negotiations through the German mediator.

According to the proposal, Israel will hand over to Hizbullah five Lebanese prisoners jailed in Israel, as well as the bodies of five Hizbullah men killed during the Second Lebanon War. Israel refuses to discuss the release of Palestinian prisoners with the Shiite organization.

Israeli officials estimate that real progress had been made in the negotiations with Hizbullah, but that this progress does not mean that a prisoner exchange deal will take place within days or even weeks.

According to the estimates, the deal may develop or continue to be stalled according to Hizbullah's reply. Jerusalem is now waiting for Nasrallah's answer

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3548239,00.html

[sharonbn]

I have to say that personally I disagree with this deal. Kuntar should remain in jail for the rest of his natural life

Samir Kuntar "glorious" biography:

On April 22, 1979, Samir Kuntar led a group of four who entered Israel from Lebanon by boat. The group members were Abdel Majeed Asslan born in 1955, Mhanna Salim Al-Muayed born in 1960 and Ahmed AlAbras born in 1949. They all belonged to the Palestine Liberation Front under the leadership of Abu Abbas. The group departed from the seashore of Tyre in Southern Lebanon using a 55 horse-powered motorized rubber boat with an 88 km/h speed. The goal of the operation was to attack Nahariya, 10 kilometers away from the Lebanese border. The group called their operation the Nasser Operation.

Around midnight they arrived at the coastal town of Nahariya. The four killed a policeman who came across them. The group then entered a high building, 61 Jabotinski Street, where they parted into two groups. One group broke into the apartment of the Haran family before police reinforcements had arrived. The militants took twenty-eight-year old Danny Haran hostage along with his four-year-old daughter, Einat. The mother, Smadar Haran, was able to hide in a crawl space above the bedroom with her two-year-old daughter Yael, and a neighbour.

According to Smadar, "I will never forget the joy and the hatred in [Kuntar's group's] voices as they swaggered about hunting for us, firing their guns and throwing grenades. I knew that if Yael cried out, the terrorists would toss a grenade into the crawl space and we would be killed. So I kept my hand over her mouth, hoping she could breathe. As I lay there, I remembered my mother telling me how she had hidden from the Nazis during the Holocaust. "This is just like what happened to my mother," I thought.

After taking the hostages, Kuntar's group took Danny and Einat down to the beach, where a shootout with Israeli policemen and soldiers erupted. Samir Kuntar shot the father, Danny, at close range in front of his daughter in the back and drowned him in the sea to ensure he was dead. Next, he smashed the four year old girl's head, Einat, on beach rocks and crushed her skull with the butt of his rifle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samir_Kuntar

[Steven]

Is there any proof those soldiers are still alive?

[sharonbn]

Not in public. Hezballah refused to let red cross rep to visit the captives.

[Steven]

Not in public. Hezballah refused to let red cross rep to visit the captives.

Thanks, do the human rights groups protest this? I doubt it. Whatever happens to Jews and Christians is alright in this gutless politically correct world we live in.

[KettleWhistle]

This is absolutely outrageous. If they dare to attempt such a thing, I do hope they'll have the wits to at least poison these bastards with some slow-acting poison that would off them in a week or so.

[Kenneth]

This is absolutely outrageous. If they dare to attempt such a thing, I do hope they'll have the wits to at least poison these bastards with some slow-acting poison that would off them in a week or so.

That's rather devious. I likey.

[second_coming]

I posted the same thing on the jerusalem post talkback; I will literally walk out on Israel and no longer support nor fundraise for the country any longer if they release Kuntar under any circumstances. I will no longer spend time working with various international organizations who benefit Israel through appeals and public relations.

This catastrophic error should not be made under ANY circumstances, the soldiers should be considered POW under the Geneva Conventions, and Lebanon as a sovereign state is responsible for their well-being under that treaty. If Lebanon is unwilling to return them (assuming the IDF soldiers are still even alive), then Lebanon should be dealt with through the UN, then perhaps militarily.

If anything, Israel should have executed members of Kuntar's family in Lebanon in response to his unimaginable crimes, and he should have been hung like Eichmann, as an exception to the Death Penalty ban in Israel.

Releasing him would be a slap in the face of myself and everyone who has labored extensively for decades on behalf of the state of Israel, and I will no longer support the country financially or through any other means moving forward should he be released. I know for a fact that many others with whom I have spoken also feel identically, and Israel will find itself further isolated, at a time they can least afford it.

This is a time where Israel is now surrounded by enemies who are using modern weapons against her almost daily, and it is only through international support abroad ultimately that Israel can survive in the long run, so it would be very unwise for Israel to release a terrible murderer of this nature. Along with infuriating and demoralizing its support base like myself who quite frankly, keep the country afloat, it will send a message to the muslim animal terrorists that jewish/israeli blood is worthless in the long run. Don't make that mistake...

[Jewscout]

the idea of releasing this guy completely sickens me.

he should be left in a window-less whole in the ground for the rest of his days.

[NewsGuy]

Releasing him would be a slap in the face of myself and everyone who has labored extensively for decades on behalf of the state of Israel, and I will no longer support the country financially or through any other means moving forward should he be released. I know for a fact that many others with whom I have spoken also feel identically, and Israel will find itself further isolated, at a time they can least afford it.
Of course, it would be a big mistake for Israel to bargain for hostages.

But I wanted to respond to the rest of your post.

Frankly, I get the impression that the current Israeli administration has changed the country into something that's very difficult for me to support.

For me, it started with the Gaza expulsion and talk of doing the same in the West Bank. The scenes of Jewish families being ethnically cleansed by the IDF shook my faith in Israelis. I no longer felt as connected as before.

Likewise, the years of IDF failure to secure the country from Hamas and Hezbullah raised serious questions about what Israelis are doing with our money, military assistance and political cover. And the same questions are raised by this insane plan to free Kuntar, the mass-murderer of Jews.

[Mil]

Leaving two soldiers in Hizbullah's hands forever is also sickening (even if they are dead). If they cannot find and free them - then an exchange is probably most likely scenario. One has to be realistic.

[second_coming]

Of course, it would be a big mistake for Israel to bargain for hostages.

But I wanted to respond to the rest of your post.

Frankly, I get the impression that the current Israeli administration has changed the country into something that's very difficult for me to support.

For me, it started with the Gaza expulsion and talk of doing the same in the West Bank. The scenes of Jewish families being ethnically cleansed by the IDF shook my faith in Israelis. I no longer felt as connected as before.

Likewise, the years of IDF failure to secure the country from Hamas and Hezbullah raised serious questions about what Israelis are doing with our money, military assistance and political cover. And the same questions are raised by this insane plan to free Kuntar, the mass-murderer of Jews.

One can only hope that this is the beast Nasrallah making noises from his cave, trying to stir the pot. Olmert may not be very bright, but I have to think that even he is smart enough to realize that giving up Kuntar is an uncrossable red line.

Mil, you are absolutely WRONG, period.

You NEVER trade for hostages like this, or buy them like S Korea did with the muslim filth in Afghanistan IIRC last year; it only invites, if not begs for, more kidnappings.

Under international law, Lebanon is REQUIRED to provide information on the soldiers, and to return them immediately. This is clearly stated in UNSC 1701. A failure to abide by this resolution, which is legally binding, can be referred back to the UNSC for a Chapter VII action, i.e., a military strike.

[Mil]

So what do you propose? How do you release these boys or their bodies? Hizbullah will not just hand them over.

[NewsGuy]

One can only hope that this is the beast Nasrallah making noises from his cave, trying to stir the pot. Olmert may not be very bright, but I have to think that even he is smart enough to realize that giving up Kuntar is an uncrossable red line.
This week, an Israeli MK (either Eitam or Eldad) questioned whether Olmert has any "red lines" at all.

[NewsGuy]

So what do you propose? How do you release these boys or their bodies? Hizbullah will not just hand them over.
The sad truth is that at the moment they were kidnapped by Hezbullah and dragged into Lebanon, they need to be considered gone, for all intents and purposes. Only a military action should be used to free them, if possible.

Other than that, terrorist groups have every incentive to continue kidnapping Israelis.

[Mediocrates]

Hezbollah standard procedure is to object to something at the last second and refuse to follow through. Then they blame the Jews.

[second_coming]

The sad truth is that at the moment they were kidnapped by Hezbullah and dragged into Lebanon, they need to be considered gone, for all intents and purposes. Only a military action should be used to free them, if possible.

Other than that, terrorist groups have every incentive to continue kidnapping Israelis.

Agreed. There are 3 options:

1-follow diplomatic channels through the UN, and demand that 1701 be enforced, or Israel will strike Lebanon militarily

2-(second smartest move) declare them dead, and no longer waste any time/effort in their regards. Callous? Not really, as it would remove any leverage Hez filth thought it had.

3-(smartest move) strike iran fiercely, who is the head of the beast fomenting war throughout the middle east. If iran's leadership, sipping coffee safely in cafes while other nations' citizens are killed by their weapons and proxy armies, are liquidated, the soldiers would undoubtedly be returned, and iraq, lebanon israel and afghanistan would be stabilized the next day.

My larger goal is to see the current fascist dictatorship of thugs and murderers that is iran eliminated. Middle east peace is impossible so long as this government exists.

[Mil]

And leave the bodies of two soldiers with Hezbullah! NEVER!!!!!!

[second_coming]

And leave the bodies of two soldiers with Hezbullah! NEVER!!!!!!

The men are dead, we are responsible for protecting the living, and preventing further kidnapping attempts/attacks. Anything that conveys legitmacy on murderous terrorist filth - or their supporters - is unacceptable.

[sharonbn]

The exchange deal with Hezballah is taking shape. What seems to be the first stage was completed today (June 1st)

Lebanese prisoner Nissim Nasser released

Raanan Ben-Zur
Latest Update: 06.01.08, 11:17 / Israel News

Lebanese prisoner Nissim Nasser was released Sunday morning from the Nitzan Prison in Ramallah. He was accompanied by Immigration Police officers to the Rosh Hanikra crossing point, where he was returned to Lebanon.

Nasser is believed to have been released as part of a future prisoner swap deal with Hizbullah, which would include the return of kidnapped Israeli soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser and the release of six Lebanese prisoners, including murderer Samir Kuntar.

"I am happy he is being released and I hope that it has to do with a future deal. He told me he is very happy to return to Lebanon and is expected to receive a warm welcome there," Nasser's lawyer, Smadar Ben-Natan, said as she arrived at the crossing point.

"He leaves behind two daughters who Israeli citizens, and this is a tragedy. He himself is not talking about a deal, but I find it hard to believe that the State of Israel would release him so easily otherwise," she added.

Red Cross spokeswoman Yael Segev-Eytan said, "Ever since he conceded his Israeli citizenship about four years ago, the Red Cross had visited Nasser in prison on a permanent basis. On Wednesday we received the news that he was returning to Lebanon.

"This procedure is being held with Nasser's approval, with the approval of the Lebanese and Israeli authorities, and UNIFIL has been informed of it. The Red Cross is not involved in the negotiations and we are not updated on any deals until they are officially finalized. We have yet to be informed of a finalized deal."

Nasser is a former Jew who converted to Islam, moved to Israel from Lebanon and was sentenced to six years in prison for espionage in 2002.

His prison term, mostly spend at Hasharon Prison, has recently ended, but the security establishment considered holding onto him – perhaps as a bargaining chip in the negotiations – and he has been held under administrative arrest at the Nitzan Detention Center.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3550292,00.html

Hizbullah returns soldiers' remains to Israel

Roee Nahmias
Latest Update: 06.01.08, 15:51 / Israel News

Hizbullah on Sunday handed over to Israel remains of an unidentified number of Israeli soldiers killed in the Second Lebanon War, al-Manar television reported.

The body parts' transfer was completed shortly after 3 pm, and the remains were taken for identification to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in a Magen David Adom ambulance along with representatives of the Army Chaplaincy.

Head of the IDF Human Resources Directorate, Major-General Elazar Stern, appointed a crew to contact the bereaved families of the Second Lebanon War and update them on any development pertaining to transfer of remains by Hizbullah.

IDF officials admitted in the past that several bodies of soldiers killed in the 2006 war were missing parts due to the types of injury, but said that all funerals were held according to Jewish law.

A Hizbullah official, Wafik Safa, reported of the remains' transfer at the Lebanese coastal border town of Naqoura minutes after Lebanese-Israeli citizen Nissim Nasser was released by Israel after serving a six-year jail term for spying for Hizbullah.

"We will hand over the remains of several Israeli soldiers killed in the recent war, who were left by the Israeli army in Lebanon. These are some of the remains we are handing over to the Red Cross today," he said.

Safa made the announcement live on al-Manar television as he stood next to a brown box which he said contained the remains. Nasser stood next to Safa as he spoke. The box was handed over to the Red Cross at the Rosh Hanikra crossing point.

A Red Cross spokeswoman confirmed that Hizbullah handed the organization a box containing body parts. "We have just completed the transfer and the picture will be clarified soon."

Officials in Jerusalem refused to address the issue, but knowledgeable sources have told Ynet that there was a positive development in terms of the negotiations with Hizbullah.

The box was handed over to IDF forces at the Rosh Hanikra crossing point as a Hizbullah gesture as part of the negotiations for the release of kidnapped Israeli soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, in exchange for the release of Lebanese prisoners, including murderer Samir Kuntar.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3550387,00.html

[NewsGuy]

The return of the body parts might look, at first, like a benefit to Israel somehow. In reality, it's an attempt by Hezbollah to demoralize Israel by reminding everyone of the loss of life in the second war, and to play with the motions of the families both of those whose body parts were returned, as well as of all those who lost loved ones who are wondering whether their loved ones' body arts are among those being returned.

All in all, this demonstrates the idiocy of releasing Kuntar, a vicious Muslim terrorist who has vowed, even as of today, to continue acts of terrorism just as soon as he's released. Who knows if the Israeli prisoners are alive still, but even if they are, you can be sure that Kuntar will now work double-time to murder more Jews.

[sharonbn]

Roni Sofer
Latest Update: 06.16.08, 12:02 / Israel News

While Jerusalem awaits developments that may lead to a possible prisoner exchange deal with Hizbullah, Arab media reported Monday that a deal in which kidnapped Israeli soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev would be returned to Israel in exchange for Samir Kuntar and four other Lebanese prisoners is expected to be carried out in the next few days.

Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar said the deal may materialize this coming Tuesday or Friday, while As-Safir reported that it will take place sometime between the 20th and the 25th of June.

Ofer Dekel, the official charged by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert with dealing with the issue of the kidnapped soldiers, reportedly met Sunday with German mediator Gerhard Konrad to receive Hizbullah's answer to Israel's offer.

However, the Dekel-Konrad meeting has not been confirmed, and Olmert has yet to schedule meetings with Goldwasser and Regev's families, leading some officials to estimate that an exchange deal has not been finalized as of yet.

Regev and Goldwasser were captured by Hizbullah terrorists during a cross-border raid on July 12, 2006.

The Israeli proposal to release Kuntar and four other Lebanese prisoners in exchange for Goldwasser and Regev is considered Israel's "final offer".

Zvi Regev, father of Eldad Regev, told Israel Radio "We had a meeting with Ofer Dekel and he briefed us, not on the details, but he told us in general terms that there is about to be a deal." He said the meeting with Dekel was two weeks ago.

But Regev's brother Benny later cautioned against expecting the imminent return of Eldad or fellow captive Ehud Goldwasser.

"My father was not being accurate," he told Reuters. "We understand that we are in the direction of a deal. That's not to say it is a deal right now."

In another sign suggesting the possibility of a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hizbullah, about two weeks ago the Shiite group transferred to Israel the remains of a number of IDF soldiers who were killed during the Second Lebanon War after in exchange for the release of Nissim Nasser.

In addition, Olmert has scheduled a meeting with the family of Ron Arad, the IAF navigator who abandoned his Phantom jet over Lebanon in 1986 and whose fate has since remained unknown.

Olmert is expected to tell the Arad family that Israel is considering releasing Kuntar in the framework of a prisoner swap. Israel has said in the past that Kuntar would be released only in exchange for information on Arad's fate.

Kuntar was jailed in the Hadarim Prison 29 years ago after murdering Danny Haran, his four-year-old daughter Einat and two police officers during a terror attack on the northern city of Nahariya.

A prisoner exchange deal will likely not take place before Olmert meets with members of the Haran, Regev and Goldwasser families. An Israeli official said "the ball is in Hizbullah's hands".

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3556246,00.html

[sharonbn]

Roee Nahmias
Published: 05.29.08, 11:31 / Israel News

Samir Kuntar, the Lebanese terrorist who murdered three members of the Haran family and a police officer in Nahariya in 1979, says that Israel and Hizbullah are on the verge of signing an agreement to exchange prisoners that Hizbullah has preconditioned on his release.

Kuntar's statements were made through his attorney, Yaman Zidan, in an interview with the United Arab Emirates-based al-Halij daily on Thursday.

Kuntar said he has the utmost confidence that Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah will invest every effort in securing the release of as many prisoners as possible from Israeli jails.

Zidan added that after Kuntar is set free "vital information that has never been disclosed will be released." The attorney provided no further details.

He also told the paper that Kuntar was in good health despite being imprisoned for 29 years.

Earlier in the week Kuntar's brother, Bassam, told the German DPA news agency that the Lebanese prisoners' families have been updated on "positive outcomes expected within 30 days in regards to my brother and the rest of the prisoners held by Israel."

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3549379,00.html

[ashperez]

He has already said that he will go back to Jihad.
http://www.mesi.org.uk/ViewNews.aspx?ArticleId=348

[second_coming]

The only reasons I can think that Israel has agreed to this insane trade are the following, some of which are not mutually exclusive:

1-Iran/Hezbollah/Hamas already have a nuclear weapon, and have threatened to use it against Israel, forcing their hand. Given how much Israel has capitulated since 2005, this would appear likely.

2-Israel expects kill Kuntar within weeks/months of his release.

3-Kuntar has been brainwashed, and will used by Israel as a weapon against Hezbollah.

4-The 2 kidnapped soldiers are alive, and this was the only way Olmert thought to get them back. If this is the reason by itself, the government should be removed from power, and force used if necessary to remove Olmert.

5-Israel, the US and the West is near a full-out assault on Iran, so they figure Kuntar will be killed in the fighting and mass attack on Lebanese terrorist militias, so giving him up now and getting back the 2 soldiers, dead or alive makes no difference, will at least ensure they/their corpses are back in israel. Once a general war breaks out, there would be no way to return them.

[farmall]

More proof that prisoners are overvalued and that troops should be taught to die rather than surrender and inevitably be used against their own countries.

The Japanese had that part of Bushido right.

[sharonbn]

Ronen Medzini
Published: 06.29.08, 18:12 / Israel News

"After this difficult week we've just been through – my heart aches, it's very hard for me, I'm very tired and drained inside. I don't know how to process everything, I need at least two days of quiet to sit with myself and try to understand what's going to happen, how it will all turn out," said a distraught Karnit Goldwasser as she came out of her meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday afternoon after the cabinet voted in favor of the proposed prisoner exchange deal with Hizbullah.

Olmert invited the families of captive soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev to his Jerusalem office and embraced them warmly before explaining the details of the agreement and his own internal indecision prior to the vote.

"This decision to bring the boys home is a very important moment for the State of Israel," Olmert told the families.

Cabinet Secretary Oved Yehezkel said there was no animosity towards the prime minister on the families' part during the meeting.

"There wasn't even a single word of criticism," he said.

Olmert, who earlier in the day said the working assumption at present time was that the captives were no longer alive.

Zvi Regev, Eldad's father, grew very emotional and told Olmert he "prays to God that we will be proven wrong.

"I believe we will be proven wrong," he said, and Olmert moved to embrace him.

Eldad's brother Ofer said that the families had not been given a detailed timetable. "The prime minister shared his doubts and hugged us. I still don't accept that the two soldiers aren't alive."

Miki Goldwasser, Ehud's mother, said the support given to the families by the people and the media was "a source of national pride."

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3561782,00.html

[sharonbn]

Roee Nahmias
Latest Update: 06.29.08, 22:37 / Israel News

Hizbullah celebrated the decision of the Israeli cabinet on Sunday to approve the proposed prisoner exchange deal. Kidnapped soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, presumed dead by the military and government, will be traded for notorious terrorist Samir Kuntar and four additional Lebanese prisoners.

In Beirut, the organization said the decision reflected the group's strength.

"What happened in the prisoners issue is a proof that the word of the resistance is the most faithful, strongest and supreme," the Hizbullah-owned Al-Manar Television quoted the organization's Executive Council chief Hashem Safieddine as saying.

The Palestinian Authority also voiced its satisfaction of the deal. A Palestinian official told Ynet: "Everyone today knows that Israel only understands force. Prisoners, we see again, can only be freed by pressuring Israel and not through negotiations."

Kuntar's attorney: He'll start a family
Kuntar's brother, Bassam, also praised Hizbullah, and told Al-Manar that the returning prisoners would receive a hero's welcome. "They will get their due respect in Beirut and in each of their hometowns. All of Lebanon will celebrate with Samir Kuntar in his village of Aabey. The majority of the celebrations will be organized by Hizbullah," he said.

Posters of Kuntar were hung throughout the city of Sidon and other areas in Lebanon.

Kuntar's attorney, Elias Sabag was with his client a short hours before he received word of the cabinet's decision.

"He was tense," Sabag told Ynet. "I was convinced the government would vote in favor. I advised him to be optimistic. We welcome the decision and hope it will help advance the Shalit deal. This is a step in the right direction."

As for his client's future, Sabag rejected the claim he would return to terrorism. "A man who has just spent 30 years in prison needs to recuperate. It will take him another 30 years just to get over prison. I think he will start a new life, maybe build a family."

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3561790,00.html

[NewsGuy]

"After this difficult week we've just been through – my heart aches, it's very hard for me, I'm very tired and drained inside. I don't know how to process everything, I need at least two days of quiet to sit with myself and try to understand what's going to happen, how it will all turn out," said a distraught Karnit Goldwasser "
Yes, here's Israel's most selfish woman, who knows that her husband is dead, yet insists on exchanging his dead body for releasing a brutal terrorist who has already vowed to murder more Israelis.

Her calculation is simple: The lives of Israelis who are currently alive and who will be murdered in the future, are worth less than her dead husband's corpse.

"This decision to bring the boys home is a very important moment for the State of Israel," Olmert told the families.
It sure is an important moment for Israel, as it's the moment that Israel has lost all semblance of a country capable of defending its citizens, or valuing the lives of its citizens altogether.

[NewsGuy]

"What happened in the prisoners issue is a proof that the word of the resistance is the most faithful, strongest and supreme," the Hizbullah-owned Al-Manar Television quoted the organization's Executive Council chief Hashem Safieddine as saying.

The Palestinian Authority also voiced its satisfaction of the deal. A Palestinian official told Ynet: "Everyone today knows that Israel only understands force. Prisoners, we see again, can only be freed by pressuring Israel and not through negotiations."

Both are 100% correct. Terrorism is proven to be effective. Now it can no longer be argued that Israel won the Lebanon war. Hizbullah has won. And Hamas is on the way to victory, as well.

In truth, the Olmert government has not been a big challenge for the terrorists, as he is a cowardly, corrupt politician, focused on keeping his job, rather than running the country, or caring for Israeli citizens.

Let's not forget that Olmert's government is being kept in place by Ehud Barak, the loser whose flight from Lebanon caused the second Lebanon war, and Shas, which is a corrupt organization on a scale that dwarfs Olmert's own corruption.

[farmall]

"So what do you propose? How do you release these boys or their bodies? Hizbullah will not just hand them over."

Bodies are dead and their retrieval is not worth releasing terrorists to kill more Israelis. Rituals over corpses are important, but dead meat is just that. I've never met a soldier, sailor, or airman who expressed the idea that someone should die to get his/her body back if they were killed.

As for live PWs, that is more complex, but against an enemy that ALWAYS wins when they capture live troops, it would be best to teach all military personnel to fight to the death. Surviving capture is not honorable when fighting beasts who WILL use survivors as weapons to kill more Israelis. If Israel wants the live ones back, sufficient reprisals to compel their release would be one way. Unless Israel wants to lose, it must be able to choose death for some over death for many. There is not another way, and failure to openly discuss why letting some people die is better than losing ensures a confused and inadequate policy. One cannot use military force without inherently accepting the idea that some own-side death and wounding is a reasonable trade for certain outcomes, in Israels case national survival.

[sharonbn]

Yes, here's Israel's most selfish woman, who knows that her husband is dead, yet insists on exchanging his dead body for releasing a brutal terrorist who has already vowed to murder more Israelis.
First of all, I would like to declare that I believe Kuntar should not be released under any circumstances.

However, your chosen label for Karnit Goldwasser is insensible and shows lack of understanding of the human psych. First of all, one can relate to her unacceptance of her husband's fate and clinging to the remote chance that he's alive (after all, he's only highly likely to be dead. for you it means he is dead, but to her it means he may be alive, and I hope you can understand the difference in views)

Second, her loyalty and first priority goes to her loved one. That is not only understandable, its expected. Even the worst murderer still has a mother who believes he's all innocence and kindness, and that's also understandable. So the close family and spouses of the POWs are behaving exactly as can be expected from them. I cannot imagince the agony they're going through, not knowing the fate of their loved ones and I admire their persistence in making the best for them.

No, the burden of responsibility for this misrable decision lies solely on Olmert and his gov't. They are the ones who should be detached from emotions and consider the long term and broad term remifications of this swap deal. Karnit Goldwasser does not have to justify her actions to the Haran family (I am sure they can relate to her sufferring and longing), Olmert is the one who should justify his decision to that poor family.

[NewsGuy]

First of all, I would like to declare that I believe Kuntar should not be released under any circumstances.

However, your chosen label for Karnit Goldwasser is insensible and shows lack of understanding of the human psych.
Nonsense. Sorry to say, but once she learned that her husband was dead, there's no more excuse to pressure the government.

At that point, she needed to get over her selfishness and be more concerned about future families whose loved ones are sure to be kidnapped and murdered due to this prisoner-corpse exchange.

It's a cynical way of the government trying to prove to Israelis that the government will do anything to safeguard its soldiers. This, of course, at a time when the government cares nothing for the lives of the citizens of Sderot and Ashkelon. ("Kassam, shmassam"), and at a time when Olmert sent in Israeli soldiers to their needless deaths at the very end of the second Lebanon war.

As for Karnit and her romantic duty to her late husband, that was over when her husband was captured and killed by the terrorists who have now succeeded beyond their wildest dreams, thanks at least partially, to Karnit.

[sharonbn]

she never learned that her husband is dead. There is no such knowledge only estimates.

[Aliyah1995]

I am also against the release of Kuntar under ANY circumstances. However, I also hold by Hillel's adage that one should NOT judge one's fellow man until he has walked a bit in his fellow man's shoes.

If it were one of my loved ones who may or may NOT be dead, I would probably be acting the same way. I do NOT hold any of these wives, parents, siblings, etc. responsible for wanting their loved ones back under any circumstances (especially if they are NOT certain that their loved ones are dead). I would, most certainly, be acting the same way.

However, I do hold the government responsible for releasing Kuntar and hundreds of other prisoners with blood on their hands. Would I be talking the same way if it was one of my loved ones (Chas Ve'Shalom!!!!)? Most probably NOT. However, I am also NOT a leader, so it is NOT MINE nor any of these families responsibility to be acting rationally, but it is our Prime Minister's responsibility and if anyone is murdered in the future (Chas Ve'Shalom!!!!) by any of these released terrorists, then I hold our leaders FULLY responsible....

[sharonbn]

Ronen Bergman
Published: 07.08.08, 23:59 / Israel Opinion

Much of what has been going on in recent weeks with respect to the upcoming prisoner swap has to do with disinformation and psychological warfare. Strangely enough, Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s interests seem to conform to those of the Israeli government.

We started with the false campaign claiming that Israel was threatening Hizbullah with the prospect of declaring that abducted troops Eldad Regev and Ehud are dead (oh, that really scared them at the Beirut headquarters, now didn’t it; in fact, it did not change the swap terms at all.)

We continued with the baseless reports about Hizbullah changing its demands, in order to justify the deal’s annulment, and we finished with leaks by interested parties aimed at somehow linking Samir Kuntar’s release to the Ron Arad affair.

The truth is that both sides are fooling their respective publics. The Israeli government is already well familiar with what Hizbullah’s report on Ron Arad says; the information contained in the report has been known to our government for a while, and it won’t help us solve the Arad mystery.

Samir Kuntar will be released in exchange for the bodies of Regev and Goldwasser, period. The rest is disinformation.

Nasrallah’s ‘achievement’
Israeli officials were not sorry to hear Nasrallah’s unfounded claim that the report contains unequivocal information that shows Ron Arad is no longer alive. This declaration means that not much can be done in respect to Arad, and therefore we can release Kuntar.

Meanwhile, Nasrallah is interested in showing that his organization made a genuine effort in respect to Arad, both to grant Prime Minister Olmert the ability to disregard the government’s pledge to the Arad family (to release Kuntar only in exchange for Arad,) and to clear Iran of involvement in the affair.

Israel, on the other hand, was glad to provide Nasrallah with an achievement in the form of a report on the four Iranian diplomats who disappeared in Lebanon. Nasrallah knows well that the report is an exact copy of a report that has already been handed over to Iran twice; it contains no new information and most of it is based on the testimony of Robert Hatem, the man who murdered the Iranians and recounted the affair to Mossad agents in 1992.

Yet all this does not stop Nasrallah from boasting, in a letter to the diplomats’ families, as though the report contains highly important details; the letter was also leaked to the Lebanese media.

In short, both sides are recycling old materials that contain nothing new and present them as priceless information being traded off.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3565826,00.html

[Steven]

Why is Nasrallah still alive?

[sharonbn]

b/c he's hiding in some under'gd bunker which location is unknown

[NewsGuy]

b/c he's hiding in some under'gd bunker which location is unknown
No, he's making speeches in front of hundreds of thousands of people whenever he feels like it.

The reason that he is alive, is because he's stronger than Israel's current PM, and he has proven that he can not only beat Israel in an all-out war, but he can also beat Israel diplomatically.

[sharonbn]

these speeches are broadcased through video screen.

[Steven]

b/c he's hiding in some under'gd bunker which location is unknown

So that is how he spends his life?

[Steven]

No, he's making speeches in front of hundreds of thousands of people whenever he feels like it.

The reason that he is alive, is because he's stronger than Israel's current PM, and he has proven that he can not only beat Israel in an all-out war, but he can also beat Israel diplomatically.

We will never beat them, if we continue to fight a politically correct war. They are counting on that.

[NewsGuy]

these speeches are broadcased through video screen.

Not all of them.

[sharonbn]

Yes, all of them.
He occasionaly goes live for a few minutes, makes some victorious statements, then quickly goes back to hiding, and the rest of the speech is prerecorded.

The fact remains Nasrallah is living his life in hiding from fear of Israeli assasination. I sincerly hope we'll get to him some day.

[Hisardut]

dip bullets in pigs blood, shoot kuntar and his six friends in the head and we can do a body exchange.

[NewsGuy]

Yes, all of them.
He occasionaly goes live for a few minutes, makes some victorious statements, then quickly goes back to hiding, and the rest of the speech is prerecorded.

The fact remains Nasrallah is living his life in hiding from fear of Israeli assasination. I sincerly hope we'll get to him some day.

Yes, most of his life is spent in hiding. Maybe in fear of Israel, though I doubt it. More likely in fear of his fellow Arabs. Still, he comes out like a rock star to carry out a political function.

And why should he NOT make victory speeches, considering he won the war, and is now the top politician in Lebanon, with unlimited powers of veto over all government decision? Olmert, on the other hand, is weaker than ever, just awaiting his jail sentence.

LEBANON: Live in Beirut, Nasrallah
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2008/01/live-in-beirut.html

[NewsGuy]

dip bullets in pigs blood, shoot kuntar and his six friends in the head and we can do a body exchange.

As soon as it becomes obvious that the Israeli soldiers are dead, Kuntar must die as well.

I hope that prior to the exchange he is infused with poison, and the antidote only given if the Israelis are alive.

[sharonbn]

Attila Somfalvi
Latest Update: 07.15.08, 17:30 / Israel News

The cabinet on Tuesday voted to authorize the prisoner exchange deal with Hizbullah. With preparations for the imminent swap nearly complete, the government gave its overwhelming support for the agreement despite having declared one of the key stipulations for the implementation for the deal, a report by Hizbullah providing intelligence on the fate of MIA navigator Ron Arad, as lacking and insufficient.

Only three ministers voted against the agreement, which will see the repatriation of captive Israeli soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev in return for the release of terrorist Samir Kuntar and four additional Hizbullah fighters arrested during the Second Lebanon War. Israel will also return the bodies of 190 combatants.

Among those who objected to the deal on Tuesday was Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann, who said that despite his personal objection to the deal, he would sign the necessary papers to release Kuntar. "My position on the matter is well known and it has not changed. However, I will respect the government's decision and will sign the necessary documents for Samir Kuntar's release within the hour, after which they will be transferred to the president for the pardon," said Professor Friedmann.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3568464,00.html

[sharonbn]

Ynet reporters
Latest Update: 07.16.08, 09:43 / Israel News

VIDEO - Abduction affair which ignited Second Lebanon War comes to its tragic end: The bodies Israel Defense Forces soldiers Staff Sergeant Eldad Regev and Sergeant Major Ehud Goldwasser were handed over to the Red Cross on the Lebanese side of the border at 9 am Wednesday, more than two years after they were kidnapped into Lebanon on July 12, 2006.

Hizbullah's al-Manar network broadcast live images from the Lebanese side of the border, showing two coffins taken off a truck at the Naqoura crossing, north of Rosh Hanikra.

Cries of horror sounded at the Regev residence, as the family witnessed the TV broadcast of the prisoners exchange at the Lebanese border showing Hizbullah turning over two coffins to the Red Cross.

The transmission was accompanied by propaganda videos praising the organizations and its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, for "keeping his promise" and succeeding in releasing Kuntar.

Hizbullah's liaison officer, Wafik Safa, refused to provide information on the two troops' fate as the exchange began. "I refuse to provide details on the condition of the two hostage soldiers," he said.

The Red Cross representatives, who were the first to see the captives on the Lebanese side of the border, had do information on their condition until the last minute.

The prisoner exchange deal with Hizbullah was executed following months of German mediation, and after the government ratified the deal and President Shimon Peres pardoned Lebanese murderer Samir Kuntar.

Kuntar will return to Lebanon along with four other Lebanese prisoners, as well as the bodies of 199 Hizbullah members.

Dozens of media crews from Israel and the world have flocked to the Rosh Hanikra area to cover the prisoner exchange. Defense Minister Ehud Barak is in his Tel Aviv office, receiving updates from his military secretary.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3568851,00.html

[Steven]

Ynet reporters
Latest Update: 07.16.08, 09:43 / Israel News

VIDEO - Abduction affair which ignited Second Lebanon War comes to its tragic end: The bodies Israel Defense Forces soldiers Staff Sergeant Eldad Regev and Sergeant Major Ehud Goldwasser were handed over to the Red Cross on the Lebanese side of the border at 9 am Wednesday, more than two years after they were kidnapped into Lebanon on July 12, 2006.

Hizbullah's al-Manar network broadcast live images from the Lebanese side of the border, showing two coffins taken off a truck at the Naqoura crossing, north of Rosh Hanikra.

Cries of horror sounded at the Regev residence, as the family witnessed the TV broadcast of the prisoners exchange at the Lebanese border showing Hizbullah turning over two coffins to the Red Cross.

The transmission was accompanied by propaganda videos praising the organizations and its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, for "keeping his promise" and succeeding in releasing Kuntar.

Hizbullah's liaison officer, Wafik Safa, refused to provide information on the two troops' fate as the exchange began. "I refuse to provide details on the condition of the two hostage soldiers," he said.

The Red Cross representatives, who were the first to see the captives on the Lebanese side of the border, had do information on their condition until the last minute.

The prisoner exchange deal with Hizbullah was executed following months of German mediation, and after the government ratified the deal and President Shimon Peres pardoned Lebanese murderer Samir Kuntar.

Kuntar will return to Lebanon along with four other Lebanese prisoners, as well as the bodies of 199 Hizbullah members.

Dozens of media crews from Israel and the world have flocked to the Rosh Hanikra area to cover the prisoner exchange. Defense Minister Ehud Barak is in his Tel Aviv office, receiving updates from his military secretary.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3568851,00.html


Israel looks like a bunch of fools.
So they made the deal with out even knowing the soldiers were still alive.....
Another victory for Hezbollah, but that is what happens when you deal with lowlifes. I wonder how they were killed. Thanks for the update.

[Steven]

After taking the hostages, Kuntar's group took Danny and Einat down to the beach, where a shootout with Israeli policemen and soldiers erupted. Samir Kuntar shot the father, Danny, at close range in front of his daughter in the back and drowned him in the sea to ensure he was dead. Next, he smashed the four year old girl's head, Einat, on beach rocks and crushed her skull with the butt of his rifle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samir_Kuntar

This is just UNBELIEVABLE that Israel did this. I am not even Jewish and I am PISSED OFF!!

[farmall]

israel and other countries should teach the truth and get over the cult of prisoner worship.
Being captured is not an accomplishment, and every prisoner becomes a deadly weapon against his/her own side. Better they die fighting then, by surviving, help the enemy.

[sharonbn]

well, apparently, the two kidnapped soldiers, Regev and Goldvasser, did die fighting.

[Mil]

Thy God the two are back home.

[Aliyah1995]

Yeah, thank G-d. We have back two corpses and Kuntar the terrorist goes free as if NOTHING happened (after all, he only killed a father, his 4 year old daughter, while the mother suffocated her infant girl trying to keep her from screaming and betraying their hiding spot). Yeah, I just feel REALLY DANDY from this exchange:rolleyes:

[Mil]

Would you rather the bodies stay with Hizbullah? As for Kuntar - let him have his fun in Lebanon.

[sharonbn]

at this price, I'd rather the bodies stayed with Hizbullah.

[Steven]

Would you rather the bodies stay with Hizbullah? As for Kuntar - let him have his fun in Lebanon.

So two dead bodies is equivalent to the people that Kuntar killed and now Kuntar being free? Nasrallah is laughing his off and making his next plans.

[tandem]

The intelligence agencies in Israel had long reached a unanimous consensus that our two soldiers were dead, and most likely they died during the kidnapping.

If you watched the news this morning, it's the tactic Hizballah used to torment the families of the soldiers until the last second that's the most evil. And how did we finally found out they were dead? When the Red Cross staff who were tasked with transporting the two soldiers from Lebanon to the border asked an Al-Manar (Hizballah's TV channel) reporter where are the two soldiers, the Red Cross staff themselves not knowing the status of the soldiers if they're alive or dead, the reporter said "Oh, let's find out" and then we saw the black coffins being led out of a van and just dropped on the road for all the TV cameras to film.

You could see the Red Cross staff just standing there on the side looking quite shocked at what they just witnessed. It wasn't the reality that the soldiers were dead, I think to some degree everyone were expecting it, but rather the theatrics used by Hizballah and the total disrespect for the dead. These Muslims, they're just beyond vile.

[Steven]

The intelligence agencies in Israel had long reached a unanimous consensus that our two soldiers were dead, and most likely they died during the kidnapping.

If you watched the news this morning, it's the tactic Hizballah used to torment the families of the soldiers until the last second that's the most evil. And how did we finally found out they were dead? When the Red Cross staff who were tasked with transporting the two soldiers from Lebanon to the border asked an Al-Manar (Hizballah's TV channel) reporter where are the two soldiers, the Red Cross staff themselves not knowing the status of the soldiers if they're alive or dead, the reporter said "Oh, let's find out" and then we saw the black coffins being led out of a van and just dropped on the road for all the TV cameras to film.

You could see the Red Cross staff just standing there on the side looking quite shocked at what they just witnessed. It wasn't the reality that the soldiers were dead, I think to some degree everyone were expecting it, but rather the theatrics used by Hizballah and the total disrespect for the dead. These Muslims, they're just beyond vile.

If the U.S. and Israel do not stop trying to be the "good" guys and take the high moral ground, we will lose. Israel should go into Lebanon and take out Hezbollah, without worrying about civilians who shelter and support them. That is their problem.

[NewsGuy]

at this price, I'd rather the bodies stayed with Hizbullah.
Agreed.

This terrorist/cadaver exchange is pure insanity.

My prediction is that, seeing the weakness of Israeli society (you can't really blame this on Olmert alone), the Muslim terrorists will cause Israel to pay a much higher price as time goes on.

This is yet another wake-up call to show that so much of Israeli society is weak and stupid, led by a corrupt, immoral government -- due to its own fault.

I am constantly reminded that while I support Israel as the Jewish homeland, I feel contempt for much of Israeli society. Sorry to say it, but it's true.

[Aliyah1995]

Would you rather the bodies stay with Hizbullah? As for Kuntar - let him have his fun in Lebanon.

Um, yes. Jewish life ALWAYS takes precedence over the dead. And Kuntar will NOT be having his fun in Lebanon, but either he, himself, will be back in Naharia before we can turn our heads or he will train someone else to cross the border and carry out yet more heinuos murders on civilians just going about their business.

It would have been one thing if we at least got back Shalit alive out of this, but for ONLY corpses we really scr*d up BIG time and the rest of the world is laughing at us and our enemies know that kidnapping (and killing) our soldiers is VERY worth it!!!!

[Katoom]

Um, yes. Jewish life ALWAYS takes precedence over the dead. And Kuntar will NOT be having his fun in Lebanon, but either he, himself, will be back in Naharia before we can turn our heads or he will train someone else to cross the border and carry out yet more heinuos murders on civilians just going about their business.

It would have been one thing if we at least got back Shalit alive out of this, but for ONLY corpses we really scr*d up BIG time and the rest of the world is laughing at us and our enemies know that kidnapping (and killing) our soldiers is VERY worth it!!!!



I couldn't agree more....


To retrieve the bodies of the two reservists you just gave Hizbollah the victory they wanted....

[Yala]

next on the agenda:

Returning the Syrian Sheba Farms to Hezbollah.

It was always a mistake to allow Olmert to stay in power and now Israelis will pay the pruce, and probably Jews around the world too who are now viewed as weak losers. A sad day for Israel and Jews and a happy day for serial killers everywhere.

[Mediocrates]

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3568336,00.html


Hamas using Gush Katif synagogues to train gunmen

Israeli government’s decision to leave Jewish structures intact for Palestinians results in Hamas usage of Atzmona synagogue as terrorist training center
Ronen Bergman
However, it is possible that the terror organizations have already made the proper modifications themselves. One of the most visible conflicts in public opinion prior to the Gaza Strip pullout (http://www.ynetnews.com/home/0,7340,L-3491,00.html%20)in August 2005 dealt with the issue of public structures following the evacuation of settlers from Gush Katif and the northern West Bank.

Many asserted that the buildings must be destroyed in order to ensure that they would not be used by terrorist organizations in the future. The fate of many of the area’s synagogues was also discussed at that time.

In July 2004 the government had already reached the decision to disengage Gaza and to demolish the public buildings there, without exception. Time and again, the government bombarded the High Court of Justice explaining why the judges must not be permitted to interfere in the decision to demolish the synagogues.

However, at some point, the tables were turned. Then-Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, Silvan Shalom, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer and Matan Vilnai suddenly opposed the decision. The ministers started raising creative ideas to allow the synagogues to stay standing.

Limor Livnat suggested involving UNESCO, with the hopes they would declare Gush Katif synagogues as official World Heritage Sites. The final decision was received in September 2005, following the residents’ evacuation and a day before the IDF’s definitive pullout from the Gaza Strip.

Despite the objection, the government decided to leave public buildings, kindergartens, libraries, schools and other structures whole for the benefit of the Palestinian population. The synagogues were left untouched due to the problematic nature of demolishing holy places. Recently, terrorist organizations and most notably, Hamas (http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3377113,00.html) have begun using these buildings for training purposes.

Gunmen use synagogue as training grounds

Several videos filmed and produced by various terror organizations present gunmen training at the sites of public buildings once used in Gush Katif, including synagogues and schools.

One of the structures identifiable in the short films in the Atzmona synagogue in which the terrorists train for different scenarios with live ammunition. Aside from Hamas, the Islamic Jihad (http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3484933,00.html) also trains at the Jewish holy site. The buildings serve as scenery for kidnapping scenarios and urban warfare including the invasion and “purification” of buildings. The organizations’ members also practice Krav Maga.

The drills are conducted in and outside of the buildings and damage is visible to the structures. The gunmen practice various maneuvers using light weaponry and grenades, light and heavy machine guns and antitank missiles. The mere existence of the buildings and their accessibility greatly contribute to the terrorist organizations. The structures are abandoned and isolated and far from the Palestinian civilian population.

If not for these buildings, the terrorists would have to construct buildings and special training areas for these purposes, just like the IDF does in order to conduct counter-terrorism drills. They would have to evacuate an entire neighborhood from its Palestinians inhabitants in order to establish a similar area.

In order to understand the great benefits Hamas attained by using the deserted structures left by Israel (http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3284752,00.html), it is necessary to simply watch the documentation of the drill one of the terrorist groups conducted in their new, ready-made urban warfare camp whose walls were built solely with sandbags.

It should be noted that usage of the buildings Israel abandoned in the Gaza Strip for live ammunition training is not secure. Buildings designated for urban warfare training must be planned and built especially for that purpose.

[kleqkleq]

Todays news is so damn depressing, sad and disgusting that I feel gutted when see the repeating news shown on CNN and other news channels. Agreed, Steve, it would be a good idea to take out Nasrallah and a few surrounding blocks regardless if there are civilians in them.

[Mil]

I can tell you that Shalit they'll now keep alive for sure!!! Politically that's the only thing they can do now.

As for Kuntar... all those warlords have this tendency of having very short memories especially for symbols.
May be a free trip to Iran and Syria.

[ygalg1]

I can tell you that Shalit they'll now keep alive for sure!!! Politically that's the only thing they can do now.

As for Kuntar... all those warlords have this tendency of having very short memories especially for symbols.
May be a free trip to Iran and Syria.
Israel is dumb enough to swap life for death, why on earth 'they' would need to keep 'him' alive?

[bararallu]

Scenario: implant microbombs into released terrorists, then remotely detonate in bunker rats [=nasrallah] domain.

[NewsGuy]

Here's how the Israelis were murdered by Hezbullah, based on an examination of their remains:

Goldwasser died during the original kidnapping incident, or right after the war broke out. He was hit in his chest by an RPG and died on the spot.

Regev was shot directly in the head with an AK-47 machine gun, also either when kidnapped or at the very beginning of the war.

By the time they were returned, there was so little left of them, that they could not even be identified visually, or by finger prints. It took hours to ID them.

One of the factors that made it difficult to ID the remains, was that Hezbullah did not keep the bodies in refrigeration, perhaps out of fear that Israel would locate every refrigerated site in search for the bodies.

Contrary to those who claim that Nasrallah never comes out publicly, he sure did appear publicly today in front of thousands. His speech was followed by Kuntar, who threatened more terrorism against Israel -- also contrary to those who claimed that he was now just looking to "start a family." He stated that "the Zionists" would miss the days of dead arch-terrorist Mughneih, implying an escalation in terror.

To all the people of Israel who today sacrificed God-knows how many other innocent Jews who will be murdered at the hands of Kuntar, in exchange for making Karnit Goldwasser happy with her husband's shredded remains, congratulations. You did it.

[second_coming]

next on the agenda:

Returning the Syrian Sheba Farms to Hezbollah.

It was always a mistake to allow Olmert to stay in power and now Israelis will pay the pruce, and probably Jews around the world too who are now viewed as weak losers. A sad day for Israel and Jews and a happy day for serial killers everywhere.

Olmert and the Israeli govt mishandled this entire episode, as well as so many others, since the July war hostilities ended, its a wonder they weren't forced from office even BEFORE this whole recent financial nonsense arose:

#1-agreeing to end the 2006 war before the men were returned

#2-agreeing to end the blockade of lebanon before the men were returned

#3-not forcing the ICRC to provide proof of life, and if Hez refused, issue a 24-hour ultimatum that if they weren't given a proof of life, israel would attack. The ICRC has to be compelled to maintain balance, otherwise it serves no purpose. If the Red cross cannot do this, they should be expelled from israel, with no visits allowed to muslim POWs, and no information on them released.

#4-not pressing the UN VERY aggressively to prevent the re-supplying of arms to the Hez terrorists. 1701 has been a total failure, and Israel needs to heavily publicize this fact at every possible news conference.

#5-this prisoner exchange - Kuntar should never have been released if the 2 soldiers were not alive. THAT would be a fundamental part of any bargain, if someone could convince me Kuntar was not going to be executed like Eichman.

Israel is the laughing stock of the world, they look like weak patsies who have once again knuckled under to the pressure of the terrorists' will.

You think the kidnappings are over? The animal muslim filth is going to see this in Gaza and Lebanon, and REALLY start grabbing israelis left and right.

And you think that the Lebanese celebrations were appalling and despicable? Wait until you see how Iran parades him through the streets of Teheran and elsewhere, perhaps even Venezuela and other allied parts of the world. The PR beating israel is going to take over the next few weeks/months will be stupendous.

[Bheeshma]

I hope Israel fed those 5 bastards slow acting poison that takes effect in a few days.:D . It would be awesome if he falls dead while on a parade in tehran. :rock:

[tandem]

No Sharon, it is not true. It's good that the boys have their final resting place right here in Israel, where they belong with their friends, families, and land. Leaving them in the hands of these vile terrorists who have absolutely no common decency for the sanctity of life would have only tormented the families more and perhaps even allowed Hezbollah to ask for a bigger price.

Remember, Kuntar is alive and well. We can always kill him if we wish, which I think will happen sooner rather than later because I think in time he will seek to take the role of Mugniyeh. He certainly has the evil charisma, which is the most important part. Weapons training and bomb making techniques that's all child's play. Any person who feels no remorse for crushing the head of a 3 year-old infant until she was dead should not be walking the earth, and I think it's a matter of time before Hezballah will pay a serious price.

The war is not finished and not by our choice. If anyone thinks that was the last we would hear of Hezballah they're absolutely wrong. We got to their top echelon before, and there's no reason to doubt we can't do it again. And Nasrallah knows this well, which is why he's been living in the sewer since the end of the war in July 2006.

[tandem]

Israel is dumb enough to swap life for death, why on earth 'they' would need to keep 'him' alive?
Because we're not like them. These Muslims celebrated the return of someone they revere as a hero, a hero who's only claim to fame is the murder of an innocent infant in cold blood, her father, and another police officer. Some hero he is. And then these Muslims wonder why the whole world is always seeing them in a negative light.

Don't think that when Kuntar was caught in 1979 that he wasn't tortured. He got the crap kicked out of him. Back then interrogations were different than they are today. The rules were different, the laws much more flexible. Years later he settled into the typical prison routine. He even earned a degree in social and political science from the Open University in Jerusalem while in prison. He's also become fluent in Hebrew. Yesterday they showed video of him being prepared to leave the prison. He was undergoing all the paper work and medical checks. He was in very good spirits talking with his Israeli guards and doctor, like he won a million dollars.

[MGB8]

Israel is defeated, and I mourn.

A country that is so weak to worry more about the feelings of old women than the need to be firm with terrorists cannot survive.

Everything I hear from out of Israel is that the once tough sabras are now as soft as rotting peaches. They don't stand up for people who are being harassed on the street. They give up live, relatively young (46 year old) terrorists for two dead bodies so that two families can feel better. Well, what about the next 100 families, or the cost for Shalit.

Make no mistake, if this is the attitude of the Israeli public, of the Israeli nation, then Israel is already dead. Nasrallah, Ajmadinejad are right. The country has rotted.

[sharonbn]

Uri Orbach
Published: 07.17.08, 07:59 / Israel Opinion

Israel has no disagreement over borders with you, the Lebanese people, yet we certainly have a big dispute when it comes to your moral boundaries. We identified the bodies of our Udi and Eldad within a few hours. And how about you? For 30 years now you have failed to identify who your Samir Kuntar is.

It has been 30 years yet you still cannot distinguish between a national hero and a-child killer. For you, it’s enough that someone killed a Jew, even if it happens to be a young girl from Nahariya, in order for you to welcome him with great honor.

You are celebrating your “victory” and show contempt to our pain. One more triumph like this and you shall be lost. While going from one victory to the next, you are stuck with your misery and fanaticism.

With every proud display and rally for your heroes, you are being taken over the by Hizbullah gang, headed by the cannibal of bodies, Sheikh Nasrallah. The fire coming out of this bramble has been eating up Lebanon’s cedars for years now.

Nasrallah is a man who reveals his true face even when in hiding; he is the man who also exposes your true face.

This is a sad day in Israel, but it holds pain and restraint and pride over what we are: A fortified Jewish wall in the face of the spearhead of the Iranian madness, which is there through your silence and encouragement. The sons have returned to our borders, while the child-killer returned to your borders.

We received the bodies with great sorrow, while you joyfully received a villain. Just look at the difference between us.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3569355,00.html

[friendofisrael]

sharonbn, thats a great post. Sums up this sad situation very well.

[NewsGuy]

It has been 30 years yet you still cannot distinguish between a national hero and a-child killer. For you, it’s enough that someone killed a Jew, even if it happens to be a young girl from Nahariya, in order for you to welcome him with great honor.

We received the bodies with great sorrow, while you joyfully received a villain. Just look at the difference between us.
To be honest, this is just an excuse to put a humanistic face on a big defeat, due to selfish families' pressure on a weak Israeli government.

It also ignores the reality of the Lebanese people's POV. To the Lebanese, the IDF's "collateral damage" also constitutes killing children. Yet Israel welcomed back its soldiers as heroes.

The sad reality is that no one cares about the death of children. Least of all the Olmert government and the rest of Israeli society, who sat back doing nothing as Hamas fired rockets -- for years -- at Jewish homes in Sderot.

Then, the comment from Shimon Peres was "kassam shmassam," and Avi Dichter's comment about how is not as tough as it used to be when Jerusalem was under Arab attack. And the rest of the country didn't give a damn either. An entire region the of country being fired at daily? Who cares? Human lives in Israel are worth nothing.

We all know that the big concern for the lives of Israeli citizens and this big show of moral superiority are really a cynical joke to cover up Israel's military weakness and political corruption.

Unfortunately, Hezbullah and the rest of Lebanon, which also hates Jews exactly like the rest of the Muslim world -- have good reason to celebrate. Kuntar is just a symbol of their own moral and military superiority. They knew how to manipulate and defeat their enemy, and they played their hand well.

[hypatian]

Israel has always negotiated lop-sided prisoner-cadaver exchanges:
- in 1985, Israel gave up 1,150 prisoners in exchange for 3 Israeli soldiers captured in Lebanon
- and in 1998, Israel exhanged 65 prisoners and 40 bodies in exchange the remains of an Israeli sergeant
- and in 2000, for the release of busnessman Tenebaum captured in Kuwait, Israel gave up 30 Lebanese and 400 Palestinians
AND MANY OTHERS

Thousands of terrorists have been released for few Israelis or their remains, and it always happens when no military option is available or when Israel has internal strife politically or to cover financial scandals... unfortunately, the politics of prisoner exchange is among the dirtiest and most hypocritical and Israel often seems weak when it succombs to it.

[Mediocrates]

From MEMRI


"In the name of God the merciful, I thank God, peace be upon our prophet Mohammad, peace also be upon his family, peace be upon all his friends and colleagues, peace be upon all prophets.

"Distinguished guests, representatives of the three political leaders, the president parliament speaker and prime minister, former President Emil Lahoud, Distinguished guests, all religious figures, all those present, all the representatives of the diplomatic delegations, the official delegations and specially the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

"My brothers the representatives of Lebanese parties, the Lebanese factions, the families of the freed detainees, my dear brothers and sisters salaam alaikum , to all of you, peace be upon you all.

"I welcome you all to this national wedding ceremony. Welcome to Samir, welcome Maher, welcome Khadher, welcome Hussein, and welcome Mohammed.

"And I'd like also to welcome the martyrs whom we will welcome tomorrow in the same way we welcomed the live free prisoners today.

"Welcome to the martyrs, the Lebanese, Palestinian, and Arab martyrs. They are the privilege of this Ummah.

"On the 12th of July year 2006, a group of resistance fighters implemented an operation which led to the abduction of two Israeli soldiers. This was in order to liberate the rest of the prisoners in the Zionist prisons.

"And the most important of these prisoners, the dean of the Lebanese and Arab detainees, Samir Kuntar.

"On the 16 of July year 2008, Samir has come back. And before him Nasim Nisr came back, Samir has come back and with him are four brothers who fought for the sake of his liberation, some of them are alive and sitting next to him and some of them were killed and are martyrs and we shall welcome them tomorrow.

"Is it a coincidence for the promise to be made to be implemented? Is it a coincidence that the dream be achieved in July in the same days or is it God's just will which controls everything? Is it God's will that led to this celebration be in these days of July?

"Concerning the timing, we can take a lot from the timing of the swap has been significant for those who look deeply into the matter. How did we reach this result? This swap in certain stages seemed impossible or very far to achieve, a very far possibility to achieve, my brothers and sisters, the biggest factor which enabled us implement this prisoner swap which we call the 'Rodvan Operation' the biggest factor is the perseverance and the victory in the face of the July 2006 assault and the failure of the enemy in achieving any of its goals and also the repercussions of this defeat for Israel, the defeat of the Israeli leadership, people, and army.

"What I am trying to say is, had we been subject to Samir and his brothers, the martyrs would not have come back and Lebanon would have lost and the whole region would have lost and we would have entered the new Middle East, which the Americans and Zionists tried to promote even at the beginning when Nabih Berri, the Parliament Speaker, when he began the negotiations for the prisoner swap and when he was subject to many pressures, even during the war, and he was a partner in the stage where we were negotiating for the swap, when he was subject to all these pressures the whole world didn't want to listen to the conditions of Lebanon or to what Lebanon had to say.

"The only words, which were repeated by the delegations, who visited Lebanon and repeated by the whole world was that 'you must release the two Israeli soldiers unconditionally'. The perseverance and the victory made Lebanon, made the resistance and made us all stand in a solid way, stand firmly to continue the liberation of our prisoners and our martyrs, and we must look back at those who fought in that battle, those who were on the front line, those who were martyred, those who were injured, those who challenged the enemy, those who stand on the front lines of battles.

"And the first person we remember is the genius, our loved one, Hajj Imad Mugniyah who was martyred, peace be upon his soul. And we also look back and remember our people how the people of Lebanon stood courageously in a historic manner, how of course all religious sects supported Lebanon.

"We also remember some of the Lebanese leaders who stood with us. We remember the perseverance of our people, those whose homes were destroyed; those who had to leave their homes; those of course who suffered a lot; those who didn't have a place for 33 days.

"But they did not complain at all. They did not show any weakness. This perseverance, this victory is the main factor, the biggest factor which contributed in achieving this prisoner swap, this victory.

“And the second factor is the very difficult negotiations. We got a lot of help in these negotiations; first of all, the enemy was incapable of bringing back the two soldiers without negotiating. This was very clear if you look at the results of the war. The war ended and the Israelis knew that they won't get back the soldiers except if that they get into negotiations and there is no other way to get them back, the Israelis knew that.

"The second point is that the Israeli Intelligence was just unable to know where these soldier were, but was incapable of knowing what the fate of these two soldiers was. This was also something which helped us in the negotiations. Now if the Israelis had known the fate of these two soldiers, if there was a malfunction in the negotiations from Hezbollah, if they knew the fate of the soldiers, the negotiations would have took us in a different direction.

[Mediocrates]

"The third point which is very important is the fear of the enemy. The fear that they would announce the failure of the negotiations or the negotiations would lead to a failure. The enemy feared that the failure of the negotiation would lead the Islamic Resistance to go perform another operation and abduct other Israeli soldiers.

"So the pressure on the enemy was not just humanitarian pressure, there was incapability on the Israeli side to save these two soldiers and the incapability to know the fate of theses soldiers. The Israelis also feared that the resistance would kidnap or abduct other Israeli soldiers.

"So the resistance was forced to abduct more soldiers to free Samir and the other prisoners it would have done so, it would have abducted more Israeli soldiers.

"So this was very clear in the discussions held between the Israelis themselves, and during the cabinet meting by Israel they spoke about this now when the majority of the Israeli cabinet voted on this prisoner swap, the Israelis sought to speak about this issue and they disrupted the chance of liberating Samir and Nasim and Yahya in 2004, They missed the chance to liberate them in 2004 at that time because of the political challenge at that time between Netanyahu and Ariel Sharon.

"And we told them you didn't liberate Samir Kuntar and you will regret this. This is what we said in 2004. The Israelis knew if the prisoner swap did not happen then we would go to another plan which I don't think Israel is ready for.

"I'd like add to theses factors a fourth one which is the perseverance of Samir Kuntar. Samir Kuntar stood firm. He did not back down from his positions in his letters. He always wrote his position in his letters from prison and he did not put pressure on us during the negotiations. He did not say hurry up with the negotiations, so that I could be liberated. He gave us time, so that we could achieve the best possible result for the other detainees.

"In addition to this other main point is the perseverance of the other detainees, the fighters. We looked at them on the television screens in the Israeli courts and I'd like to tell these fighters I listened to what you said. The last time I heard you when one of you was asked a question and answered. When they asked you if someone ordered you to fight once again, would you fight once again? And then one of the fighters answered if we see someone would go into the sea we would go with him even without him requesting.

"These words put tears in my eyes, tears of love for these detainees who did not fear the prison.

"In addition to these, the families of the detainees and the martyrs, the honorable families who put their trust in us, who had confidence in us. These families helped and contributed so that we could go in the positive direction, to reach the best possible results.

"These are very important factors in these negotiations. We must remember that the results showed the efforts by our negotiating team and the talent and expertise of them. Our negotiating team was under pressure and the negotiating team was subject to other pressure.

"The unity government, I like to stress that we are ready to cooperate in addressing all issues and put two lines on the all without any exception without any resolutions, we are ready to discuss all issues in order to promote the interests of the country in order to promote the strength of Lebanon. And all of Lebanon to overcome every crisis it faces.

"We must not forget Imam Mousa Sadr, and we hope he comes back with his two colleagues and so if our brother Samir is known by whole world because he spent thirty years in the Zionist prison [...] Imam Mousa Sadr now has been kidnapped for thirty years as well, this issue as I said in my concluding statements during my speech in a ceremony of liberating the Lebanese detainees in 2004, I like to say once again we don't want to enter any confrontation to any one, we don't want to identify anyone as our enemy, we want to close our all outstanding and painful issues and this is for the interests of all Arab countries and for the people of the regions of the Arab countries, and time has come to close this issue whatever be the end result a few years ago I said in a meeting if Imam Mousa Sadr is still alive bring him back to us and we will thank you and if Imam Mousa Sadr is a martyr tell us and send us his body.

"Martyrdom of course is something which Imam Mousa Sadr loved and which his family loved. And the issue of Imam Mousa sadr must be closed; we must remove the ambiguity from this issue.

"And I know the sensitivity of the Arab official relations and the issue being raised concerning the subject we are reminding you of Imam Mousa Sadr, we are speaking today about detainees so we must not forget the person who laid the foundation of resistance in Lebanon who is Imam Mousa Sadr and I call once again for Arab and Islamic cooperation in order to put an end to this issue and in order for Imam Mousa Sadr and his colleagues to come back to Lebanon.

"My dear brothers and sisters, the free detainees, families of the martyrs and families of the detainees all of you who are waiting for your loved ones for your loved martyrs bodies tomorrow, all who are present I like to congratulate you on this victory because this victory is your victory, it is your achievement, it is your promise, it is your doing, it is your pain, the way you used to form this contributed to this prisoners swap. [...]

"And I pray also for Lebanon I pray that Lebanon deals with this issue just like we sort the day with national responsibility concerning all detainees especially Samir Kuntar who must be viewed off the thirty, who must be viewed as a very very rich national treasure, and we must deal with this person in the appropriate manner after he put up with so much, after he spent all these years subjected to all these sufferings. Of course I hope all the detainees will be freed."

[Thaer K. Hamed]

What was the point of the Lebanon invasion if the Israeli Govt was prepared to do a prisoner exchange anyway?

That is what Hizballah offered from the start.

[Mil]

What was the point of provoking Israel when they knew it might end up badly for Lebanon. And why Hizbullah was willing to sacrifice Lebanon for two dead soldiers - why not come clean?

That tells us that Hizbullah wanted a war - and it got itself a war. I am just not sure why celebrate this? But I guess autocratic rules makes idiots out of the best of us.

By the way - how is Assad junior doing?

[FNG]

I see the trade of two dead israeli soldiers for any number of living men of the quality these persons are as a tremendous bargain. Israel has brought home the bodies of two of her children, to be buried in her soil. Compare that to what the other side brought home. To put it another way, picture two merchants about to make a trade. They bring out a scale. On one side they place a fleck of gold. On the other they place one ton of human feces. One merchant is pleased with his fleck of gold. The other is pleased that the scale so heavily favors him. Both parties are happy but I know which merchant I would rather be. I think the Israeli government should have an open policy of trading one prisoner for one piece of dung from an israeli bred cow while at the same time letting it be known that they felt a bit uncomfortable for taking advantage like this. Let the other side be happy, it's strange what some people value. Israel can bury her dead and the others can be happy with their ton of human waste.

[sharonbn]

Roee Nahmias
Published: 07.18.08, 12:29 / Israel News

Lebanese terrorist Samir Kuntar made a rare statement Thursday, saying that he envies Israel.

"To tell you the truth, we envy our enemies. The way they care for a body and will go to the end of the world in order to get it back, and how they care for the hostage and will go all the way to return him," Kuntar said in an interview with Hizbullah's al-Manar television network, a day after being released from jail and returned to Lebanon as part of a prisoner swap deal with Israel

Kuntar added that he did not murder Israeli toddler Einat Haran in a 1979 terror attack in Nahariya.

"I'm innocent. I did not kill the Israeli girl and I'm not defending myself for fear of the enemy," the terrorist said, adding that Israel invented the girl's murder.

He also said that during his years in prison he had read "the books of the enemy about the '67 and '73 wars", and had felt that the Arab person had no meaning in these wars. He said he felt disregard for human beings' value in Arab countries, adding that this was manifested in Egypt's attitude toward its MIA's.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3569961,00.html

[Mil]

The Arab MIAs are happily reading books in Israeli prisons :)

[Mil]

May be because Arab MIAs don't really want to come back?

[Thaer K. Hamed]

What was the point of provoking Israel when they knew it might end up badly for Lebanon. And why Hizbullah was willing to sacrifice Lebanon for two dead soldiers - why not come clean?


Hizballah had made it very clear for some time that they wanted the return of the Lebanese prisoners and wanted to capture Israeli soldiers to do it. IDF units operating aalong the border were meant to be alert to kidnap attempts because Israel was very aware of this.

The Israeli invasion only made sense if Israel was never going to negotiate a prisoner swap. Invading and then negotiating a swap was bizarre. Nasrallah must be still pinching himself.

[Mil]

By Hamed:

Hizballah had made it very clear for some time that they wanted the return of the Lebanese prisoners and wanted to capture Israeli soldiers to do it.

No. Crossing the border and opening hostilities against a sovereign nation Hizbullah knew there would be fighting. They just didn't know how much.

In addition to kidnapping the soldiers Hizbullah also opened a barrage on Israel - by the way.

IDF units operating aalong the border were meant to be alert to kidnap attempts because Israel was very aware of this.

What is that supposed to mean? Syrian militarization near the Golan means that Syria wants to go to war with Israel. Is that right? Same logic.

The Israeli invasion only made sense if Israel was never going to negotiate a prisoner swap. Invading and then negotiating a swap was bizarre. Nasrallah must be still pinching himself.

After the ascilation of hostilities Hisbullah could have openly admitted to what happened to the soldiers and begin a political dialog. They decided to not openly admit to what happened to the soldiers and continue the war for their own political purposes. They chose to prolong the war. At the end it was Lebanon which paid for it.

The conflict was started and prolonged by Hizbullah for it's own purposes.


So how is Assad-Junior doing? And how did he ever got around of getting such a good looking wifey - with his looks and everything? You think she went for the title?

[Mediocrates]

They don't even bother calling them terrorists, or activists anymore. Now they call them politicians. The deal for Shalit now includes Barghouti and of course hundreds of others. All engineered by Jimmy Carter.....

[Steven]

The President of Lebanon actually honered this lowlife. They do not disarm Hezbollah and even vote their members into office there. Lebanon should be declared a terrorist state.

[Mediocrates]

UN troops saluted the bodies of Hezbollah terrorists being returned to Lebanon. Israel protested but what's the use?

[Bheeshma]

UN is a pointless organization. Who cares about them?

[Insomniac]

hi all...im new to this forum...i wanted to give my point of view on this latest event...but before that let me tell you about myself a bit...im a lebanese citizen of armenian roots but still i was born and raised in this country and pretty much lived through all the wars :)..now to the matter at hand...i just read some posts of people saying lebanon should be declared a terrorist state and we hate jews...well i just have to say that's not true...see the problem is there are a major margin of people who do not hate jews nor want to kill jews...nor do they have any problem with having a peaceful solution with Israel...but the arab world prefers to keep that under folds, now back to the samir quntar issue...yes they brought him back as a hero but no one here, except hezbollah and whoever follows those idiots, considers that man a hero...infact what they never showed on tv or wrote in the news is the thousands of protesters that marched all the way to baabda where the president resides in order to protest against the release of samir quntar, and about the speech that president suleiman gave, well since syria has a grip on this country again there's not much he can do accept obey or die like it's always been since the past 30 years...we thought were done with syrian oppression but i guess we were wrong...now if u didnt realize yet im not a hezbollah supporter infact i think their existence is just another way to make lebanon a muslim state...besides any organization or group that lives by the teachings or beliefs or writings or whatever they call that load of garbage that were penned down by ayyatollah khumeini well that just says enough doesnt it?? now about the issue that lebanese call israeli soldiers child killers...well im sorry guys but during the wars the IDF did some inhumane acts...i mean the canna massacres are enough as an example...but if there is something i dont know please do tell me. well to end it i just want to give a few personal thoughts...first of all i do acknowledge the existence of israel as a country and i know for a fact that israel and lebanon can be neighbours, because after all they were once weren't they? anyways...i hope you will accept me here as a friend from lebanon...looking forward to discussing more topics with you...take care:D

[bararallu]

"canna massacres"? There hasn't been one incident of Israelis massacaring any Lebanese, unless you want to go back to the 1st Temple period and then it's a little open ended....

[Mediocrates]

Following are excerpts from TV programs with released Lebanese terrorist Samir Al-Quntar, which aired on various TV channels in July 2008.

To view this clip on MEMRI TV, visit http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/1819.htm.


Al-Manar TV, July 16, 2008
Samir Al-Quntar: "The weapon of a position that has been turned into a culture builds the homeland of the resistance. It has become the culture of the generations that will realize the dream of annihilating that plundering entity. Allow me to commemorate a great legendary commander, the martyred hero and mujahid 'Imad Mughniya. I would like to say just one thing: Hajj 'Imad, we will only be worthy of the blood you sacrificed when we force this enemy to long for your times." [...]
Al-Manar TV, July 17, 2008
"At this time yesterday, I was in the hands of the enemies. This time yesterday, I was still in their hands. But right now, there is nothing I'd like more than to face them again. I ask Allah to make this happen very soon. Whoever thinks that the liberation of the Shaba' Farms of the Lebanese lands can bring an end to this conflict is deluded. Take my word for it. Even if we let them be, they will not let us be." [...]

Al-Jadid TV, July 18, 2008
Samir Al-Quntar: "There is a disease in this region called 'the state of Israel,' which we refer to as 'the plundering entity.' If we do not put an end to this disease, it will follow us, even if we flee to the end of the world. So it's better to get rid of it." [...]

Al-Manar TV, July 17, 2008
Samir Al-Quntar: "If we consider the history of the conflict... When you read books written by the Zionists about the wars of 1967, 1948, and 1973, you feel that no value was attributed to the lives of the Arabs. Arab soldiers would fall, others would go missing in action... There was a kind of disdain for their lives. This was evident in the lack of seriousness in dealing with cases of Egyptians, Lebanese, and others who went missing in action in the conflict with the plundering entity.

"Hizbullah, however, has been searching for missing people – martyred or alive. They had no reason to carry out a capturing operation for my sake other than their belief in the value of human life. I remember that Secretary-General [Nasrallah] once said: 'If Samir Al-Quntar is in prison, it means Lebanon in its entirety is in prison.' This reflects the value of human life...

"Today, everybody talks about human rights, democracy, and modern development... Human rights begin here – in caring for the individual in society. The individual is everything. To be honest, we used to envy our enemy – how it would go to the end of the world in order to retrieve a body, and how it was ready to go all the way to free one of its captured soldiers. Today, Allah be praised, we have the resistance, which retrieves the bodies of the martyrs, and every single prisoner. It does not leave prisoners in jail or bodies in the hands of the enemies." [...]

Al-Jadid TV, July 21, 2008
Sheikh 'Atallah Hamoud, head of the Lebanese Society for Prisoners and Released Prisoners: "This is a gift from the Islamic resistance to the liberated hero, Lt.-Col. Samir Al-Quntar. Mujahideen like Samir Al-Quntar and his brothers do not care about themselves, because they have dedicated themselves to the resistance, the cause, and the homeland."

Narrator: "The special gift from the resistance merged with the words of Al-Quntar, who vowed that his gun would play a role in avenging the blood of the martyrs."

Samir Al-Quntar: "This is the most beautiful gift, except for freedom itself. I'd like to salute the Islamic resistance and Secretary-General Nasrallah for their trust. First, this is the Islamic resistance's way of reaffirming their faith in me as a fighter. Second, this gun will play a role, Allah willing, in avenging the blood of 'Imad Mughaniya." [...]

Future TV, July 22, 2008
Samir Al-Quntar: "If you are asking whether I killed Israelis – I did, Allah be praised."

Interviewer: "Including children?"

Samir Al-Quntar: "No. I am proud of this, and Allah willing, I will get the chance to kill more Israelis. As for the children, that's another story. A girl was killed during the operation, in the crossfire. In all the operations that involved capturing Israeli hostages, the hostages were killed by the bullets of the Israeli forces. In the operation of Dalal Al-Maghrabi, the [Israelis] fired like crazy on the bus, and killed a large number of Jewish hostages. In the Ma'alot operation, hostages were taken at a high school. [The Israelis] used anti-tank missiles to storm the school, killing many. The same thing happened in my operation. When we fired at them, in response to their fire, they began shooting in our direction like crazy. They are the ones who killed the hostages."

[...]

Interviewer: "What did you study [while in prison]?"

Samir Al-Quntar: "Social studies and humanities."

Interviewer: "Did you complete your master's degree?"

Samir Al-Quntar: "No. I tried and took six courses, but they stopped it, saying it was forbidden. Other brothers completed their master's degree, but they prevented me personally from doing so, for reasons unknown to me."

Interviewer: "Are you considering completing your master's?"

Samir Al-Quntar: "No. Allah willing, I will do a different one."

Interviewer: "In what?"

Samir Al-Quntar: "A master's degree in resistance."

Interviewer: "What form will it take?"

Samir Al-Quntar: "Military..."

Interviewer: "So Samir Al-Quntar is declaring tonight that..."

Samir Al-Quntar: "I've already declared this."

Interviewer: "You declared that you would be a member of the resistance, but today you are declaring that you will be a resistance fighter, and that you will carry out military missions for the resistance."

Samir Al-Quntar: "Without the slightest doubt."

Interviewer: "The Islamic resistance?"

Samir Al-Quntar: "Yes."

Interviewer: "Is that a done deal?"

Samir Al-Quntar: "Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely. I say it three times."[...]

[Mediocrates]

Al-Jazeera TV, July 19, 2008
Samir Al-Quntar: "At 02:00, they asked us to prepare for departure. When we left, the Israeli media filled the corridor, taking pictures of us. They wanted us to wear clothes that they brought over. These clothes were so ridiculous that anybody seeing us wearing them would burst into laughter, no matter what."

Interviewer: "What kind of clothes?"

Samir Al-Quntar: "Long underwear..."

Interviewer: "Do you mean pajamas?"

Samir Al-Quntar: "If only they were pajamas... I asked the brothers to wait. I called the man in charge over and said to him: We will not go out in these clothes. I gave them back to him. He said it was not his decision, and I said: So call off the deal. I said: Call off the deal. We are returning to our cells. He said to me: You've waited 30 years, and now you want to call off the deal over this? I said to him: Yes. They started making calls, and then the warden came. I said to him: I want you to call off the deal immediately. We are returning to our cells. He had told me there was a decision that we must wear these clothes. I told him that we have maintained our honor for 30 years, and we refuse to be humiliated in the last half hour. When they realized we were serious about this, they started making calls, and eventually, they backed down. Then we left in a long convoy..."

Interviewer: "So you defeated them even at the last minute."

Samir Al-Quntar: "Yes."

[...]

Interviewer: "To the best of your knowledge, who made the decision to assassinate you?"

Samir Al-Quntar: "The decision was made by a senior officer, who was the head of the research division of military intelligence. His name is Amos Gilad. Today he is a very influential advisor, and his decisions are passed easily in the Defense Ministry – the Zionist Ministry of War. He made the decision, and I think it has political backing. As for me, I vow to make them pay the price for my martyrdom in advance."

[...]

Interviewer: "Brother Samir, we would like to celebrate your birthday with you. You deserve even more than this. I think that 11,000 prisoners – if they can see this program now – are celebrating your birthday with you. Happy birthday, brother Samir."

Samir Al-Quntar: "Thank you."

Interviewer: "Go ahead... There is a picture here... If the camera can show this... Let's cut it... Does the camera show this clearly or not? We have a picture here... This is the sword of the Arabs, Samir. Don't cut the picture, cut on the side."

Samir Al-Quntar: "Here's Abu Qassam [Marwan Barghouti]."

Interviewer: "Marwan is here."

Samir Al-Quntar: "Abu Qassam is here with Ahmad Sa'dat. That's our prison warden..."

Interviewer: "This one?"

Samir Al-Quntar: "Yes."

Interviewer: "What is the warden's name?"

Samir Al-Quntar: "His name is... Never mind."

Interviewer: "This is when you were released. Here you are with Wafiq Safa."

Samir Al-Quntar: "Yes, this is Wafiq Safa. This is the most beautiful picture – with Hassan Nasrallah. This is the most beautiful picture. There cannot be anything more beautiful. Me and the secretary-general – the most beautiful picture of me ever taken."

[Insomniac]

yeah had a typo there sorry it's not canna...it's Qana it's a little village in southern lebanon...research it on the web man...you'll see what im talking about..cheers:D

[Steven]

Al Jazeera throws Kuntar a party. Disgusting video party for baby killer. Muslims are showing their true face to the world with this guy.

http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/1818.htm

[Steven]

I can't wait until this lowlife gets a bullet in his head.


Kuntar: Allah willing, I'll kill more Israelis
By BRENDA GAZZAR



Days after his release last Wednesday, convicted Lebanese Druse terrorist Samir Kuntar told Arab television stations that he plans to earn a master's degree in "military resistance" and reiterated his commitment to kill again.




Slideshow: Pictures of the week Kuntar said he was "proud" of killing Israelis, and "Allah willing, I will get the chance to kill more Israelis," in an interview with Lebanon's Future TV, according to a transcript provided by The Middle East Media Research Institute.

The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), a Washington-based watchdog organization, published excerpts this week of a number of Arab-language interviews with the released prisoner.

Kuntar, who served 29 years in an Israeli prison for his part in killing a father and his daughter as well as an off-duty policeman in Nahariya in 1979, was released with four other Lebanese prisoners on July 16 in exchange for the bodies of IDF reservists Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser.

The day after he was released, Kuntar told Hizbullah's Al-Manar TV: "This time yesterday, I was still in their hands. But right now, there is nothing I'd like more than to face them again," according to a MEMRI transcript. "I ask Allah to make this happen very soon."

Kuntar, a member of the Palestine Liberation Front, and four others sailed from south Lebanon in April 1979 to Nahariya, where they murdered police officer Eliahu Shahar after he stumbled upon the gang. After breaking into the apartment of 28-year-old Danny Haran, they took him and his four-year-old daughter Einat hostage and then to the beach below. After a shootout ensued between the gunmen and police, Kuntar shot Danny Haran and bashed Einat's head on rocks and with the butt of his rifle, according to Israeli security sources. Two-year-old Yael Haran was accidentally smothered to death while hiding from the terrorists.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331094936&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[bararallu]

yeah had a typo there sorry it's not canna...it's Qana it's a little village in southern lebanon...research it on the web man...you'll see what im talking about..cheers:D


Fighting out of population centers, like hezbuanimals do, make them fully culpable for massacring their own civilians by directing artillery fire on themselves and/or their proximate civilians. So again... please provide evidence that Israel massacred any Lebanese.... like say Lebanese have massacred each other, on a regular basis. Oh... I may have forgotten the magic thinking of the Middle East: Arab countries are eternal victims of Zionist aggression. sorry about that :reb: .

[Insomniac]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5228554.stm

well here's the BBC article about it...everyone like BBC right?? good...cheers:D

[Steven]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5228554.stm

well here's the BBC article about it...everyone like BBC right?? good...cheers:D

Lesson learned. Do not shelter terrorists.

[bararallu]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5228554.stm

well here's the BBC article about it...everyone like BBC right?? good...cheers:D

BBC is a 3rd rate News org that has anti-Semitic (http://factsofisrael.com/blog/archives/000221.html) leanings. Why would I read it?