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strength and self image; and of course, on the image of its leaders and

commanders of the IDF. The problem is not necessarily the question of
what are the ramifications of one step or another on the conduct and

actions of the other side, meaning that of the Palestinian terror
organizations.
The media and propagandistic gain the terrorist organizations make off of

kidnapping Israeli soldiers usually relies on the success of actually
executing the kidnapping and on abusing the families. A captive-

exchange deal brings this victory of the mind to an end.
The real questions the affair raises relate to inner-Israeli challenges
Is worrying about the image of the Israeli leaders, fearing that they would

be accused of being defeatist or alternately, stubborn, insensitive and
missing an opportunity – is that what should guide them in making

decisions in this sensitive matter? The question which is raised by the
developing deal for the release of Gil'ad Shalit does not concern, then, the
Israeli-Arab conflict or to the struggle we are conducting against Hamas

and have previously held against the Hizbullah. This struggle will
continue to exist for a long period of time, during which Hamas will

continue to execute terrorist attacks against the IDF forces and against
Israeli citizens, whether a deal will be made or not. The question raised
by the deal is related to questions concerning the Israeli society from

within.
Restraint, strong nerves and common sense

Gil'ad Shalit's story is not related solely to Hamas and the Israeli-
Palestinian conflict. It is firstly an inner-Israeli story concerning the

Israeli society, the Israeli media and its military and political leadership.
One must hope that a deal would be struck soon, which would bring
Gil'ad Shalit's release and safe return home. If this happens, the most

important lesson to be made for similar challenges, with which we will
obviously have to deal with in the future, is the need to keep our restraint,

strong nerves and common sense – none of which were well
demonstrated during the past two and a half years by the Israeli public,

the media or even by the Israeli leadership.

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