Deal for Dead

The Israeli Cabinet approved a deal that would swap remains of Hizbullah terrorists for Goldwasser and Regev, despite the fact that it is all too likely that both Israeli soldiers are dead.

The cabinet debated the deal for nearly six hours before the vote, which was approved 22-3, with Roni Bar-On, Ze'ev Boim and Daniel Friedmann the only ministers to vote against.

As well as freeing Kuntar, who is serving multiple life terms in a 1979 infiltration attack in Nahariyah, Israel will release dozens of bodies, including eight Hizbullah guerrillas captured during the Second Lebanon War, and a number of Palestinian prisoners.

Israel also agreed to give information regarding the disappearance of four Iranian diplomats in the nineties as part of the deal.

Hizbullah hails the deal as a show of their strength. They have every right to crow. They got what they wanted out of it, and Israel is bending over backwards to get the remains of their soldiers back. Releasing Kuntar and Palestinian terrorists is a tremendous mistake for Israel, and yet the Cabinet approved the measure 22-3.

The justification is that this deal doesn't cost Israel nearly as much as prior deals. Since when is that the guide? Israel is freeing terrorists who are more than likely to return to attacking Israel at their earlier possible opportunity.

The deal is expected to take place mid-July. Watch for Hizbullah to throw a massive party in celebration of Kuntar's release along with those of the other terrorists as a massive propaganda coup. We're also supposed to take Kuntar's attorney's word that he wont return to terrorism? What happens if and when he does? Do we get our money back?