High school seniors: 'Don't free terrorists for us'

A group of high school seniors who plan to enlist in combat units after graduation have signed a petition demanding that there be no mass release of terrorists in exchange for them in the event that they are kidnapped.

"If I'm abducted, I prefer to stay in prison so that terrorists are not released," said David Lotan, a Rishon Lezion teen who signed the petition. "My life is not any more important than the lives of those who will be killed if terrorists are freed."

The high school seniors' petition reflects Lotan's sentiment: "In the event that we are abducted, we do not want terrorists to be released in exchange (for our freedom)."

The future IDF soldiers note in the letter that they would agree to a prisoner swap, if it was done in accordance with international conventions that call for one POW to be exchanged for another.

Moreover, the teens demand the state downgrade terrorists' imprisonment conditions.

"A situation where heinous murderers study for academic degrees and enjoy fancy meals is an intolerable disgrace," they wrote.

The youths expect to gather hundreds, if not thousands of signatures before submitting the letter to Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz.

Those who have already signed the petition said they intend to enlist in the army's combat units after graduating from high school. Some claimed that they have already been accepted to the army's elite brigades.

...

The teens suggest that the latest deal, which brought Shalit home in exchange for the freedom of 1,027 Palestinian prisoners, was a mistake that will cost lives.

"A thousand terrorists is a number that proves that the decision meant surrender," Liav Hamburger, 18, said.

"If the terrorists know that we don't capitulate to terror, the motivation to abduct would be reduced," Noam Sharlo, 18, added.

The petition was initiated by the National Union party's Young Leadership movement.

Of course, in the event that any of them are kidnapped, there would be nothing to stop these kids' parents from doing everything to bring about their release. Most parents would probably do exactly what the Shalit's did. But the kids say they are thinking now with their heads rather than waiting for hearts to come into play.

The kids' statement might (maybe - I wouldn't bet on it) restrain the government from doing what it did in Shalit's case. But this country has become addicted to doing these 'exchanges' (Ilan Grapel will be freed this week in another one) and it's unlikely to stop anytime soon in the absence of a serious terror attack perpetrated by people who have been released God forbid. If then.