Jewish sages have opined there is no greater mitzvah than the redemption of captives, but not at unreasonable costs for the safety of the community. Determining what is unreasonable has left deep wounds in Israeli politics and society.
On Feb. 15, under severe domestic pressure, Israel released 369 convicted terrorists, 36 serving life sentences, in exchange for three Israeli civilian hostages. Just a week earlier, Israel freed 183 Palestinian terrorists, including 18 serving life sentences, for three Israeli hostages.
Among them was the mastermind of the 2004 Be’er-Sheva bombing that killed 16 and wounded over 100, and another sentenced to multiple life terms for murdering six Israelis. These terrorists had destroyed entire families, orphaned children, and devastated communities.
Read more at Newsmax© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
