Israel to Free Terrorists with ‘Blood on Their Hands’ for Shalit

Israel is set to release a number of terrorists involved in murdering Israelis—including two of the most infamous female terrorists in Palestinian history—in exchange for kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. However, several of the most dangerous terrorists in Israeli prisons are not expected to be released. Israel on Sunday unveiled 477 of the 1027 prisoners to be exchanged for Shalit.

The list, published by the Israel Prison Service, includes the female terrorist who assisted in the horrific Sbarro pizza restaurant bombing and another who lured a young Israeli to be murdered.  In addition, a number of terrorists serving a dozen life-sentences or more are set to be released.

Tamimi Aref Ahmad Ahlam, who drove the suicide bomber to the attack at the Sbarro pizza shop in Jerusalem that killed 15 and wounded 130, is set to be sent to Jordan as part of the Shalit swap, according to the prisoner list published Sunday.

Another lethal female, Muna Jawad Ali Amna, is also set to be freed. Amna lured a teenage Israeli online to rendezvous with her, where he was murdered by terrorists. Amna will be relocated as part of her release. Also among those set to be released are terrorists involved in a Haifa bus bombing attack that killed 15.

However, as expected, some of the most infamous terrorists held by Israel were not included on the list. Among those are Marwan Barghouti, serving five life sentences for his role in murdering Israelis, and Abdallah Barghouti, the bombmaker given 67 life sentences for his role in multiple terror bombings during the Second Intifada.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday expressed his sympathies for the families of terror victims killed by terrorists being released for Shalit.

In a letter to the bereaved families, the Israeli leader said, “I know that the price is very heavy for you. I understand the difficulty to countenance that the evil people who perpetrated the appalling crimes against your loved ones will not pay the full price that they deserve.”

Netanyahu said he personally felt their pain, noting that he too belongs “to a bereaved family of the victims and fallen of terrorism.” Netanyahu’s brother was killed in the Entebbe mission in 1976 that rescued Israelis taken hostage by terrorists.

“Numerous misgivings accompanied me throughout the negotiations on the agreement to return the abducted soldier Gilad Shalit. You were always in my thoughts,” said Netanyahu. “The decision in the matter of the release of Gilad Shalit was among the most difficult that I have ever made.”

Netanyahu noted the conflicting factors within the exchange: the Israeli commitment to bring its soldiers home and the cost of doing so.

“Opposite the strong desire to return home a captive soldier, was the need to limit the heavy price that the State of Israel would have to pay upon the abduction of Gilad Shalit over five years ago… During these moments I hope that you will find solace that I and the entire nation of Israel embrace you and share your pain.”

(By Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, October 17 2011)