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Source: http://nationalinterest.org/commentary/why-almost-everyone-loses-the-prisoner-swap-6021
Why (Almost) Everyone Loses in the Prisoner Swap
(National Interest) Benny Morris - It has been calculated that the Palestinians to be released killed 588 Israelis, almost all of them civilians, most of them within Israel during the 2000-2004 Second Intifada. While saving Shalit's life, the deal will boost Hamas' standing among all Palestinians (including Israeli Arabs, who increasingly see themselves as "Palestinian") and, commensurately, weaken the so-called "moderates" around PA leader Mahmoud Abbas. It will encourage attacks on Israelis, as the perpetrators will know that if caught, there is someone who will engineer their release. Lastly, it will show Israel as "weak" and susceptible only to the use of force.