Perhaps he’s figured out that, if one small and rather low-ranking captive can be traded successfully for 1027 prisoners, then it may be possible to raise a ransom whereby all those others held in a looser form of ‘captivity’ can gain some equal measure of freedom.

Isn’t every Palestinian and Israeli a hostage to the situation in which they find themselves? And wouldn’t they welcome anything that could release them from a virtual life sentence in what must sometimes seem like a very dangerous and overcrowded jail?

Of course, in terms of people transfer, the whole thing is a non-starter. At 1027:1, there’s nowhere near enough prisoners make up the numbers required. And the bureaucratic nightmare that would then ensue doesn’t even bear thinking about.

But people are not the only medium of exchange. There is something else that has a value almost the equal of human beings. For some, it has been known to often exceed their value.

http://yorketowers.blogspot.com

I guess it really all comes down to how much love every father has for his son, each mother for her daughter; and vice-versa.
And what, if any, is the limit of that love.

But after? He reminds me of Fred Goldman, father of Ron Goldman, who was murdered by O.J. Simpson. Fred was there all during the trial, waiting for some sort of justice for his son.

During this time, Fred Goldman was bitten by the fame bug. He’s been chasing it ever since, to ever diminishing results.

If Noam Schalit wants to do some good in the world, he should start a project that helps people in some way, and carry it through. Then, if he wants to, he can run for the Knesset on the strength of what he has accomplshed, and not just on his well-known name.

By running for the Knesset now, he gives the unfortunate impression that he is simply another Fred Goldman. And that is not good.

He doesn’t strike me a person who curses (a lot), nor does he appear rude. He is always clean-shaven in interviews and living in a tent for five years outside one of the main centres of power in Israel denotes patience of a high order. He speaks relatively softly and, as for punching inanimate objects, Benjamin Netanyahu et al might sometimes qualify for that description but comparisons there may be too unkind – to inanimate objects!

That last remark was, perhaps, a bit harsh but I just couldn’t resist it.
So, it does seem to me that you and Noam are a match made in Heaven. You each fill out the gaps in the other’s character, you complement one another perfectly. As for details like punctuality, telephone calls and fidgeting, I feel sure these flaws can be equally offset in the merging of two such dissimilar personas.

In tandem, what a formidable force you two might become in the current Israeli political wilderness.

Many husbands that love their wives and also yell at them callously, can learn that they care more than they are irritated.

And some don’t.

I learned to not argue harmfully with my wife, because I care more about her than I am angry with her.

But, I’ve never learned to control my eating, even as I love my health more than I want sweets.

Never give up, never surrender.