Mr. Ze’ev Rapp, the chairman of a terror victims’ association told Ynet that he and his colleagues remain adamantly opposed to the release of murderers in a prisoner release deal. The statement was prompted by a report earlier in the week (HERE) that Yael Ze’evi, the widow of slain government minister Rechavam Ze’evi supports the release of her husband’s murderers if it will bring Gilad Shalit home.
 
Rapp, whose daughter was murdered by terrorists in Bat Yam 17 years ago stated that those who support releasing terrorists with ‘blood on their hands’ do not understand the pain of the bereaved families.
 
Rapp stated that if the murderer of his daughter Helena is released, “I will destroy other families as he destroyed families. I will kill him before he leaves the borders of Israel.” Rapp went on to say that Mrs. Ze’evi’s statement expressing a willingness to release her husband’s murderers goes against the late minister’s policies as well.

Rapp added that he had much respect for the late minister, who attended his daughter’s funeral and delivered a eulogy at the kever. “Mrs. Ze’evi should speak for herself and not for others. It is easy for her as she is not young but my daughter was 15.5 [when she was killed].”
 
Rapp rejected statements by what he calls “bleeding hearts,” adding that we can learn from the recent release of Samir Kuntar, who shortly after arriving back in Lebanon stated “I’ll be back”.
 
Rapp expressed his dismay that the release of Gilad Shalit was not one of the goals of Operation Cast Lead, adding he is willing to release his daughter’s murderer for Shalit, “one life for one life but not more.”

Agreeing with Rapp is Mr. Stanley Boim of Jerusalem, whose 17-year-old son David was gunned down as he waited for a ride outside Bet El in Shomron as he tried making his way home from yeshiva close to 10 years ago.
 
Boim explained that his son’s murderer was not apprehended immediately and after that attack, he was involved in a terror attack on Jerusalem’s Ben-Yehuda Mall. He goes on to explain it is not a matter of revenge, but preventing future attacks since after released, the terrorists return to their former occupation.
 
Mr. Boim explains that instead of putting pressure on the Israeli government, pressure should be exerted on Hamas, since Hamas is holding Shalit.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)