JERUSALEM (VINnews) — A significant number of the Hamas terrorists who participated in the atrocities on Simchas Torah as well as in other previous terrorist attacks in Judea and Samaria had been released in the 2011 Gilad Shalit deal, in which Israel released over a thousand terrorists to secure the release of the captive soldier.
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With over 150 other Israelis now in the hands of Hamas, the issue of another possible captive exchange deal is splitting the Israeli public, with some siding with the families of the Hamas hostages who are begging the government to arrange a deal for their loved ones while others state that the primary goal must be the destruction of Hamas, even at the cost of lives of hostages.
Prime Minister Netanyahu met Sunday with the families of the hostages and promised that one of the strategic goals of the operation in Gaza will be to restore the captives to their families. However some of the parents of hostages have said that they prefer that there not be any deal with terrorists and that Hamas be totally destroyed, even if this will harm the welfare of their own children.
One such person is Rabbi Zvika Mor of Kiryat Arba, whose son is being held by Hamas. Speaking on Israeli television’s Channel 14, Mor said that during war the nation must come first. He quoted the Rambam, who says that during war a person must not think of his wife and children as this will weaken his battle resolve, and said that even though he loves his son, his country comes first. “We have been called to the flag, we must be ready for sacrifices,” Mor said.
וואו, אהבת המדינה תוך הקרבה אישית שאין גדולה ממנה 💔
צביקה מור איש מדהים 🇮🇱 https://t.co/QxYqlIJ7CR— בוטון 🇰🇵🟢 (@SpringSmr2021) October 15, 2023
“I’m willing to give my son, I was preparing all my life for this,” Mor added, impressing all the other members on the show, one of who even hugged him and said “The salvation of Hashem can come in the blink of an eye.”
all of this could be avoided if Israel gave the death penalty to terrorists.
It is prohibited to redeem Jewish captives for exorbitant ransom (primarily because it incentivizes the taking of more captives). And while Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Zatzal famously ruled that the Talmudic prohibition does not apply when a captive’s life is in danger (his reasoning is that you have a certain Pikuach Nefesh now, vs a possible risk later), when the risk is not just that of incentivizing additional kidnappings, but also the release of terrorists who will with a near 100% certainty commit more killings (as was experienced with those released in the Schalit exchange), even Rabbi Yosef would agree that it is not allowed. Of course, it’s understandable that the families will pressure the Government to acquiesce to anything to effectuate the release of their loved ones. It is certainly very rare for a Tzaddik like Rabbi Zvi Mor to be able to overcome a father’s love for his child for the “greater good” of Klal Yisroel!
!מי כעמך ישראל
He’s right!
May G-D give him strength
Brave man
Hopefully they can locate them and free them without having to resort to trades but we need prayers and Hashemi help
I hope and pray that his son will be released unharmed. I will continue saying Thelim for his son and all those being held and for the safety of our beloved Chalim. My HaShem protect them. Am ECHAD b’LEV ECHAD. Your Pain is my Pain.
This man is amazing. What a strength to see past his pain. Everyone always wants the “immediate gratification” strategy but in Israel the cost is enormous and will only lead to further bloodshed and more hostage taking.
The cost of those lives is a hard hard decision to bear but if it means the security of Israel then they may have no choice .
Modern day Akeidas Yitzchak! Incredibly moving and may his words shake the heavens like they did for Avraham Avinu!