Hamas Demands, Israel "Balks"

"As Olmert’s Time in Office Nears End, Captive Soldier’s Saga Gains Urgency"
A6, Monday, 3/9/09,
By Isabel Kershner

The lone bright spot is Kershner balancing the desire of Schalit’s family, and their supporters, with what a large part of Israel thinks. “People here also remember the names of youths who were blown up on buses by terrorists, and they are debating the morality of releasing those convicted of such attacks in exchange for Corporal Shalit, part of a list of prisoners Hamas wants freed.”

Still, is it the high number on that list, or is one prisoner, a killer, too much? Where is this question? Almost worse, readers don’t even know how many prisoners Hamas has demanded.

Kershner quotes Yossi Mendellevich, who “argues that Israel has not fully examined other options for freeing Corporal Shalit.” Was he asked about these other options? Either way, this point should have been examined.

That the Red Cross hasn’t been allowed to see Schalit is a good point here, but one that hasn’t been pursued by the Times.

"With Israel balking at releasing all the prisoners on the Hamas list…”

"Balking" assumes either a violation, or some sort of deviation from what is to be expected.

Acceding to a Hamas demand about releasing throngs of dangerous terrorists into what should be a peaceful Palestinian society is not simply going through the motions. This is either a misuse of “balk” or a misreading of the situation.

What really should’ve been questioned are the possible effects of releasing over a thousand prisoners. Are these mass prisoner releases supposed to have a moderating effect on Palestinian society or negotiating positions? Have they? Analysts would've been eager to respond.