STAND WITH US: Joy and Anguish: The Trade for Gilad Shalit

Israel released 1,027 convicted Palestinian criminals in exchange for the freedom of one Israeli hostage, Gilad Schalit, a young Israeli soldier who had been kidnapped and held incommunicado by Hamas for over five years. Many of the Palestinian criminals had murdered Israelis, including sleeping children. They expressed no regret, only the resolve to murder again. Palestinians welcomed them as heroes. The exchange was anguishing for Israelis, especially for the families whose loved ones were victims of the murderers. Yet over 70% of Israelis favored the trade.