At the forefront of those opposed to the release of 1,000 terrorists in exchange for abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit are many bereaved families who lost their loved ones in terror attacks and were struck dumb on Tuesday when they heard of the government's decision. The Almagor Terror Victims Association plans to petition the High Court of Justice against the deal, but past experience suggests that the chance of the court accepting the petition is nil. We will launch a major fight in memory of the victims, said Almagor head Meir Indor. This violates the principles of justice. Who says that Gilad Shalit's life is more important than that of the soldiers who will be killed or injured on their way to catch those terrorists? Is that our hierarchy of values? We are sacrificing the individual for the whole and not the whole for the individual. Don't believe promises that Everything will be fine,'" Indor said. They were also given to the 180 Israelis who have been killed by the terrorists released in previous deals. Netanyahu went further than Olmert. The prime minister is paying a price that even his predecessor was unwilling to pay. Israeli citizens should be worried. When you release so many murderers back to their villages and towns it does strategic damage. It does critical harm to Israel's deterrent ability and constitutes a huge threat to the country and its residents. On Tuesday night, close to midnight, opponents of the deal demonstrated opposite the Shalit tent as they watched the celebrations taking place. Bentzi Ben-Shoham, whose sister Limor was killed in a terror attack at the Moment Cafe in Jerusalem in 2002, arrived at the Prime Minister's Office while ministers deliberated the deal. The deal will go through, I know it, said Ben-Shoham, holding a photograph of his sister. I came here to make heard the cry of my sister, of the many dead and injured who cannot be here. My sister was killed by terrorists released in previous deals. These terrorists shouldn't see the light of day, Ben-Shoham said. She paid the price and I am paying the price as well every day. Why does this have to happen to other families? Gilad Shalit should be at home. There's no argument about that, but the price is too heavy. This is a sad day. The deal was signed with the blood of my sister and of many murder victims. The pens of the ministers who signed it are stained with the blood of my sister. Starting today rivers of blood will be spilled in this country. We are about to embark on a cycle of terrorism and fear. They are abandoning the citizenry. Yossi Mendelevich, whose 13-year-old son Yuval was killed in the No. 37 bus terror attack in Haifa eight years ago said, We have mixed feelings. On the one hand, we are glad like everyone else that Gilad is coming home. On the other hand, Israel has capitulated to Hamas and that is a total failure. The mutual responsibility that everyone talks about is perhaps true for soldiers, but not for citizens of the country who will be exposed starting tomorrow to a renewed and dangerous encounter with terror. Khaled Mashaal himself promised that they would return to armed struggle. It's clear to everyone that the next kidnapping is on its way. I really hope that together with the massive release of those murderers Israel will work to implement the report of the Shamgar Committee on the conditions of security prisoners in Israeli jails, and will pass legislation that will increase our deterrent ability, like the death penalty for murderers, Mendilevich said. The citizens of the country are in danger and I hope that the prime minister who announced that their security is important to them will succeed in putting the Shamgar report at the head of the government agenda.
'A blood-stained deal'
Bereaved families express fury over expected release of 1,000 terrorists in exchange for abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit • Almagor terror victims group to petition High Court and fight in memory of terror victims.
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