(Telegraph-UK) Charles Moore - Hamas is being accorded kudos for its actions by the media, as if it were merciful.< In truth, the releases are just as calculatedly ruthless as were the original killings and kidnappings. It is a mistake to see the hostage returns as a mark of Hamas weakness, let alone a change of heart. Morally, these exchanges are unequal. In return for a small number of its citizens, Israel is freeing far more Palestinians, most of whom are guilty of something. The Israelis Hamas frees are wholly innocent. Bargaining over hostages makes the future taking of hostages more likely. The kidnappings are seen to work. Many of the Palestinians released will resume the fight against Israel which their imprisonment interrupted. Naturally, many Israelis will do almost anything to get their fellow citizens home. If the Israeli government gives in to this, however, it may well be sacrificing the long-term interests of all Israelis to the feelings of the moment.
2023-11-29 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive