The lexicon is a familiar one, the words synonymous with raising one’s hand for a forbidden act, yet choosing to transgress and vote in favor of that act – in this case the release of terrorists from prison. The vote to release terrorists is not an unprecedented act, but this in no way adds legitimacy to the release of terrorists, many of whom will return to their profession, the murder of Jews.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his cabinet ministers who voted in favor of the release of 104 terrorists used the standard lexicon, the words echoed by his predecessors as they did the same. It was the same heavy heart that ousted close to 10,000 people from their homes in Gush Katif and N. Shomron in 2005, and the same heavy heart that gave away portions of Eretz HaKodesh to Israel’s sworn enemies in the name of peace.

Naftali Bennett questions why Israel’s “peace partner” insists on the release of blood-thirsty terrorists and how this is in line with a sane peace partner. Bennett feels that if one wishes to truly achieve peace, one would push to have these heinous individuals rot in prison rather than release them.

Ministers voting in favor of the release of terrorists:

1. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu (Likud)

2. Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon (Likud)

3. Strategic Affairs Minister Dr. Yuval Steinitz (Likud)

4. Internal Affairs Minister Gideon Saar (Likud)

5. Public Security Minister Yitzchak Aharonovich (Yisrael Beitenu)

6. Absorption Minister Sofa Landver (Yisrael Beitenu)

7. Justice Minister Tzipi Livni (The Movement)

8. Environmental Affairs Minister Amir Peretz (The Movement)

9. Finance Minister Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid)

10. Science Minister Yaakov Peri (Yesh Atid)

11. Education Minister Rabbi Shai Piron (Yesh Atid)

12. Health Minister Yael German (Yesh Atid)

13. Welfare Minister Meir Cohen (Yesh Atid)

Minister voting against the release of terrorists:

1. Economy Minister Naftali Bennett (Bayit Yehudi)

2. Housing Minister Uri Ariel (Bayit Yehudi)

3. Senior Citizens Service Minister Uri Orbach (Bayit Yehudi)

4. Communications Minister Gilad Erdan (Likud)

5. Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz (Likud)

6. Agriculture Minister Yair Shamir (Yisrael Beitenu)

7. Tourism Minister Dr. Uzi Landau (Yisrael Beitenu)

And those who simply cannot decide or commit to an ideal:

1. Galil & Negev Development Minister Silvan Shalom (Likud)

2. Sports Minister Limor Livnat (Likud)

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)