Mrs. Leah Goldin, the mother of IDF MIA Lt. Hadar Goldin HY”D, spoke out in the harshest terms against MK (Yesh Atid) Elazar Stern and his bill pertaining to prisoner releases in the future. Goldin’s body was snatched by Hamas fighters after he was killed in Gaza in the summer of 2014 together with Sgt. Oren Shaul HY”D.
During a discussion pertaining to future prisoner releases between Israel and Hamas, MK Stern stated a ceiling must be placed on such deals. His comments come after the Gilad Shalit exchange which resulted in over 1,100 terrorists being released in exchange for his return. That deal led to a nationwide consensus that a similar deal must never be repeated in the future.
Mrs. Goldin spoke with Channel 10 News on Thursday morning 22 Tammuz. She spoke out against the Shamgar Report, which recommends even exchanges, one terrorist for one soldier, which is what one might expect from a bereaved mother. She fears if the recommendations made in the report are adopted by the cabinet, it would further complicate efforts to have her son’s remains returned for kvura in Israel. She spoke of the unwritten contract, that everyone sends their children to the army and the latter is responsible to bring them back home.
She directed her pain and anger at Stern, who has been speaking out to accept the recommendations of the Shamgar Report. “Stern doesn’t understand democracy” she stated, adding he is driven by “fear and hysteria to clear his own conscience”. She blames him for creating additional barriers hindering the return of her son and Shaul.
It is pointed out that Stern is a retired IDF major-general who also dealt with these issues during his tenure as head of the Manpower Branch.
A spokesman for Stern tweeted that his bill has not impact on efforts to get back the bodies of Goldin or Shaul.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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4 Responses
It sad to say it but he’s right
#1 You surely meant, she’s right.
I feel sorry for her and any other parents who have lost a son or daughter but that is a risk all accept as a reality of military service and/or living under the threat of terrorism. However, we can no longer risk the lives of hundreds or thousands C’V, by engaging in these mindless releases of murderers and terrorists in exchange for the remains of one. Yes, the refrain will be “you wouldn’t be saying that if it was your son or daughter” but I hope I would. In any event, the spineless concessions to the Galit political mob that resulted in the last prisoner release have already been acknowledged to have cost the lives of several Israelis and maiming of others by terrorists released in that exchange.
It is very difficult for the families that have a loved one in captivity and we can’t blame them for taking action to try and bring there loved ones home. However check out the actions of the terrorists released in the Shalit deal, they have mostly gone back to do acts of terror. The latest example is Miki Mark HY”D and his family.