New Rules

In an attempt to obtain the release of captive soldier Gilad Shalit, PM Olmert has appointed a ministerial committee to relax the criteria for terrorist release, redefining terrorists who planned terror attacks as not having murdered.

Olmert and his ministers are not the first Jews to replace old rules with a more flexible and expedient new edition. Years ago, the Jewish Enlightenment and Reform movements made more flexible rules to define the Torah of Israel. Since the Partition Plan and until our own times, the criteria that define the Land of Israel are constantly replaced with more politically expedient criteria. From the advent of the Law of Return, we are constantly broadening the definition of Who is a Jew. And now, the government is redefining what constitutes murder of Jews. By further relaxing its criteria for terrorist release, Israel's government is effectively downgrading the sanctity of the lives of all those who have survived the previous changes in criteria.

Behind the Orwellian words "relaxing criteria" hides a complete loss of values. A government that scorns the Torah, the Land of Israel and the Nation of Israel has no criteria for anything at all. Criteria are based on principles. Without principles, criteria totter and collapse on shifting sands.

Let us face the truth. In negotiations over the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, the Hamas has remained true to its (evil) principles. And it has defeated Israel's populism-driven government. Israel's current leadership has not managed to free its captives and is daily pressured by the international community to make more and more concessions. National leadership that is guided by how it will look on the television screen is dangerous. It brings the next war closer and replaces the sorrow of individuals with widespread sorrow.

A Prime Minister motivated by Jewish principles would have to clarify that he is responsible for the lives of all the Jews in Israel -- including those who would be murdered, kidnapped or maimed by the release of murderers from prison. The moral solution for captive soldiers is to stage a true and just war for their release -- not a political sound and light show that cynically cowers behind the names of captive soldiers while actually attempting to save the "Convergence Plan."

Authentic Jewish, moral warfare is waged without concern for civilian populations that shield the enemy. It is waged without fear of condemnation by the international community or the CNN. And the leaders of dark and corrupt regimes are its prime targets.