How stupid are Israel?

[Sam Slater]

Apparently, they're going to swap five Lebonese soldiers for two dead Israeli soldiers. WTF?!!

How fucking immoral can you get, thinking two dead bodies, from your own army, are worth five living enemy soldiers? Those soldiers can be re-equipped and ready to kill more of your army and citizens; and that's not even the most important point.

It has sent a clear message to the Lebonese that if they, in future, happen to seize a squadron of Israeli troops, they don't even need to keep the feckers alive so as to use them as bargaining tools. No need messing about feeding and keeping them warm, or giving them medicine if needed; just kill em, or let em starve because the same deals can be done anyway. Infact, it's better that they're killed because the dead bodies can't come back, re-equipped and bite you on the arse; in return, yours can!

I wonder what the Israeli solders think about this? That if they're captured, their life isn't what's important, just as long as the bodies are brought back for the proper burial?

I'm not taking sides in the war, by the way, I'm just pointing out what a stupid message it sends; morally, the paramount message should be that life is worth more than death; this message makes the Israelis seem indifferent to it.

[one eyed jack]

I hear you Sam. Its fucked up. The Hezbollah chaps must be feeling right smug knowing that 2 dead Isreali soldiers are worth 5 live Hezbollah soldiers and to compound it all theres rumnours of Hezbollah waging revenge.

Goes to show you cant bargain with those people

[diplodocus]

don't forget they've also sent back nearly 200 dead fighters - maybe the message is you kill two of ours, hey here's 200 of yours

i'm not even going to try and second guess middle east politics though, who knows what's really behind it

but I reckon the families of the dead are happy, at least it gives them some closure

[JonnyHungwell]

They knew they were dead already. Why any country wants dead bodies back is beyond me - and why it seems to give comfort to families to have a body/remains to bury is also a mystery. Personally speaking, if a family member dies abroad, bringing them back to this country would be of no consolation to me - when you're dead you're dead, the body isn't the person you remember and is nothing special anymore. A stupid move by the Israelis. for sure.

[Lizard]

Not really stupid, It's about time they gave way a little, the Israelis hold big store about thier soldiers dead or alive, they simply want the bodies back for burial as is thier policy, As far as releasing prisoners, thats the plan, they dont have any hezbollah prisoners now which helps them to bargain or bomb with impunity next time there is a rocket attack.

[Flat_Eric]

Of course we can't rule out the possibility that the Israelis have clandestinely microchipped the fuckers, so that they know where they are at all times and can take them out in a targeted air strike later on at any time they choose.

But I really feel sorry for this poor bastard - an Israeli airman shot down in 1986, and no-one really seems to know for sure whether he's alive or dead.

His fate seems to have been largely forgotten by the world.



- Eric

[Fieldy]

From my understanding through the tv and radio, there was a combination of dead hezbollah and live prisoners in exchange for the two bodies of the Israelie soldiers ( I might be wrong but this is my take of events over the last two days)

[Sam Slater]

The point, Liz, is to send the message that people are worth more alive than dead. This setup gives the impression that they don't really care, which is pretty immoral.

Why should Hezbollah take care of prisoners in future if they're worth the exact same dead?

[diplodocus]

well, for me i'd want a member of my family back home and buried where i could visit the grave etc rather than the thought of them miles away in an unmarked grave

[Lizard]

I dont think thats the case Sam, the Israelis have always tried to get thier soldiers back dead or alive, also they resent having to feed and water hezbollah prisoners, I dont think its a case of whose worth what, you could see it as they are willing to give back all hezbollah fighters just for the dead body of one soldier, that seems quite noble to me.