Emotions ran high in courtroom 3 in the Supreme Court on Monday, 19 Tishrei, as the court heard petitions to intervene, to block actualizing the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal, which will result in Israel releasing 1,027 terrorists in return for the captive soldier. The petitions were filed by Jerusalem resident Ronit Tamari, the Almagor Terror Victims organization, and members of Schijveschuurder family, five of whom were killed in Sbarro Restaurant attack in Yerushalayim on Aug 9, 2001, an attack that claimed a total of 16 lives.

Along with the state, responding in defense of the deal was Noam Shalit, Gilad’s father, who was told by some of the pained bereaved petitioners to “place a black flag on your home” for today is a sad day, one of mourning for the people of Israel.

Mr. Shalit remained silent, opting not to respond, perhaps too emotionally charged to respond to such harsh words.

Almagor head Lt.-Colonel (reserves) Meir Indoor stated that Hamas abducted Gilad Shalit, his family and the entire region, adding that Hamas was holding its knife at the throat of the entire nation and its judicial system.

Some felt that Shalit’s presence represented a poor decision on his part, contributing in a big way to the highly emotionally charged hearing. Some felt his presence was an affront to the bereaved family members.

Family members told reporters “I sat with the prime minister and I heard his words, his opposition to releasing terrorists. What he says and writes in books is one thing (http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=105894) and what he does is another.

Bereaved family member Yossi Tzur, whose son was killed in a terror attack on a number 37 bus in Haifa told Israel Radio “I think Yoni Netanyahu is turning over 1,000 times in his grave for he fell in the line of duty while trying to rescue hostages from terrorists during a time Israel did not negotiate with terrorists and surely did not release terrorists in deals”.

The state explained the deal is the result of a government decision, and as such, there is no place for the court to rule, seeking to have the petitions thrown out.

March 5, 2003 – A suicide bomber blew himself up onboard a number 37 bus on Moriah Boulevard in Haifa, murdering 17 people and wounding over 50. Killed in that attack were:

Maryam Atar, 27, of Haifa;
Smadar Firstater, 16, of Haifa;
Kamar Abu Hamed, 12, of Daliat al-Carmel;
Daniel Haroush, 16, of Tzfat;
Mordechai Hershko, 41, of Haifa;
Tom Hershko, 15, of Haifa;
Meital Katav, 20, of Haifa;
Elizabeth Katzman, 17, of Haifa;
Tal Kerman, 17, of Haifa;
St.-Sgt. Eliyahu Laham, 22, of Haifa;
Abigail Litle, 14, of Haifa;
Yuval Mendelevich, 13, of Haifa;
St.-Sgt. Be’eri Oved, 21, of Rosh Pina;
Mark Takash, 54, of Haifa;
Assaf Tzur (Zollinger), 17, of Haifa
Anatoly Biryakov, 20, of Haifa, died of his injuries on March 8.
Moran Shushan, 20, of Haifa, died of her injuries on March 11.

In the past, such petitions, to block prisoner release deals, were rejected by the court, which did not wish to involve itself in government decisions.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)