The first few ours following a kidnapping will forever involve deep concern, an expectation for some news, angst, hope, and the resolve to have the perpetrators pay for their decision to deprive others liberty. There is a genuine, almost natural, desire to exact revenge. This sentiment was eloquently expressed 122 years ago by the poet Shaul Tchernichovsky, who wrote, "Oh my sword, where is my sword, my avenging sword -- hand me a sword, I shall not return it to its sheath." But the response to such events disappears into oblivion unless they are dealt with swiftly. The coalition should initiate fast-track legislation for the so-called "Terrorist Law, which would prevent the president from pardoning terrorists in certain cases. The first dissenting voices could be heard on Saturday. Channel 2 pundit Amnon Abravmovich quoted Mossad chief Tamir Pardo, who asked cabinet ministers, "Would you stick to your guns and refuse to hold talks with terrorists even if the captives were 14-year-old girls who lived in one of the settlements-" Whatever the government has to say in response, only time will tell whether its approach is just. For now, everyone should withhold judgment. If a kidnapping actually took place -- rather than a terrible tragedy -- will the government be able to stick to its guns by avoiding negotiations? Will it adopt the recommendations put forth by the Shamgar Committee, which devised a template for such events (the government has been deliberating on its findings for quite some time)- On Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas. He said he held him responsible for the events in PA-administered territories. Citing the newly announced unity deal with Hamas, Netanyahu said this responsibility extends to the Gaza Strip. He may be right, but it remains to be seen whether this convinces Abbas that he should honor his pledge to continue with the coordination on security matters with Israel. He may jump on the opportunity Netanyahu created by shirking his duties and withhold the help he can provide Israel. If that happens, Netanyahu's accusatory statement will have backfired. That said, Netanyahu's rhetoric has helped Israel make its case on the world stage. Israel's conduct has, in some respects, hurt both sides' interest: resolving this crisis as successfully as possible. Some say that Israel, by refusing to scale back settlement construction, precipitated the end of the peace talks. They have a point. But to claim that this refusal contributed to the abduction shows a lack of sensitivity. In fact, as Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon revealed on Saturday night, Israel has foiled 30 kidnapping plots over the past 18 months -- a period that saw Israel release Palestinians who were convicted of national security crimes and terrorism. The terrorists did not halt their operations any time Israel released another group of terrorists. Israelis have woken up to a new mindset on Sunday, one that is dominated by contemplation and embarrassment. Regardless of what happened to the captives -- we all hope they return home safely -- the driver who kidnapped them should be in our crosshairs, having sentenced himself to death by means of a targeted assassination. As Tchernichovsky said, "Hand me a sword, I shall not return it to its sheath."
