Israel’s Revenge

By Mitchell Bard on History

It is a difficult day in Israel. On one hand, everyone is happy that the remains of two soldiers, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, have been returned. The joy is mixed with grief over the death at the hands of the terrorists of Hezbollah who killed them and then held their bodies hostage, refusing for nearly two years to provide any information about their well-being.

It is a measure of the depth of feeling for soldiers in this country that the government agreed to exchange prisoners, including one who led a terror attack that led to the death of five Israelis (who received a hero’s welcome in Lebanon), for the remains of their men. It was a difficult choice for a nation that does not believe in leaving anyone behind on the battlefield because everyone is aware that the trade is likely to encourage future kidnappings as a way to force Israel to free additional terrorists. Even now, Gilad Shalit, a 22-year-old soldier kidnapped two years ago by Hamas, is being used as a bargaining chip by the Gaza terrorists. Seeing what Israel was prepared to give up for two dead soldiers has convinced them that a live soldier should be worth a much larger number of Palestinian prisoners.

This is not the first such trade. Israel has periodically swallowed hard and exchanged disproportionate numbers of men who have committed heinous crimes for a small number of soldiers living or dead. Bringing their boys home is worth more than the propaganda victory claimed by Hezbollah or the future risks.

The Ultimate Revenge

Israel still has a way to exact revenge. The best way, however, is not a helicopter gun ship targeting terrorists or some other military operation. No, the most effective strike against those who wish Israelis ill is the thriving state that has grown over the 60 years and is now enjoying a boom time.

View from Jaffa to Tel Aviv, Israel. Credit: Oliver Benn, Stone/Getty ImagesI just returned from Tel Aviv where my hotel room overlooked the packed beach where I could watch kayakers and surfers navigate the waves of the Mediterranean Sea. Earlier I visited Jerusalem where throngs of tourists were in the shops and historical sights, and hundreds of native Israelis prepared for the Sabbath buying some of the best looking and tasting fruits and vegetables you will find anywhere in the Mahane Yehuda market, which was the scene of terrorist bombings in 1997 and 2002 that killed 23 and wounded more than 200.

Just two years removed from the war with Hezbollah, and still under almost daily missile attacks from Gaza, and the growing danger from Iranian nuclear developments, Israel’s economic growth rate is expected to be 4-5% for the fourth consecutive year. According to a Business Week economics reporter, the Israeli shekel is the strongest currency in the world. In fact, Israelis find themselves asking if they should be rooting for or against the economy because as it grows stronger the dollar has fallen in value against the shekel and had a significant impact on many individuals and organizations. Tourists feel it in sticker shocks at hotels that just a few years ago were struggling to fill any rooms at $100-200 a night and now are packing them in at Manhattan-like prices of $300-500 a night.

Israel continues to experience a leadership crisis. The Prime Minister is under investigation and has had anemic public approval since the war with Hezbollah. Still, this is one of the most active periods in Israel’s unceasing effort to reach accommodations with its neighbors. Even though rockets keep falling, Israel negotiated a truce with Hamas.

Simultaneously, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister have been engaged in ongoing talks with the Palestinian Authority leadership in an effort to reach at least an outline for an agreement before President Bush leaves office. Recently, we learned that secret talks mediated by Turkey have also been going on between Israelis and Syrians and some analysts believe an agreement may be possible that will return most of the Golan Heights to Syria and perhaps lead to a reorientation of Syria away from Iran and toward the West.

For those familiar with Middle East history, of course, most of these developments are viewed with suspicion and cynicism. Still, the fact that this is all taking place is yet another example of the confidence Israelis feel at the moment. Their neighborhood remains tough and the choices they face tougher, but if you want to see a vibrant society in one of the most beautiful places on earth, it’s a good time to visit Israel.