The obligation to return those who were abducted home safely is not only a moral duty, but a legal one.
The fundamental debate about the morality of prisoner exchange deals is not relevant to the horrific event that the State of Israel experienced on October 7, 2023. When the state violates the basic condition in its contract with its citizens, which includes national security and even more so personal security, the question is no longer the morality of their safe return home, but the legal obligation of the state.
The kidnapped, especially the civilians among them, were abducted from their homes because they were Israelis, and more precisely, Jews. The state failed completely when it did not prevent this horrific event, and even more so when it did not know how to protect its citizens immediately after the event became known.
Under these circumstances, the state has no choice but to return the abducted home safely. This is first and foremost a state interest, which lies at the solid foundation of national security and the public and social resilience of the State of Israel. The release of the abducted, at least the civilians among them, must be unconditional.
This is the time, inter alia, to lean on the Abraham Accords, and use them to exert diplomatic pressure on the terrorist organization Hamas. It is the duty of the Arab and Muslim countries that have signed peace agreements with Israel to attend to this matter. This should a supreme interest of these countries, and not of Israel alone.
Hamas threatens the national security of many countries in the Middle East. These states must join together to free the abducted, at least the civilians, safely and unconditionally.
The obligation to return those who were abducted home safely is not only a moral duty, but a legal one.
The fundamental debate about the morality of prisoner exchange deals is not relevant to the horrific event that the State of Israel experienced on October 7, 2023. When the state violates the basic condition in its contract with its citizens, which includes national security and even more so personal security, the question is no longer the morality of their safe return home, but the legal obligation of the state.
The kidnapped, especially the civilians among them, were abducted from their homes because they were Israelis, and more precisely, Jews. The state failed completely when it did not prevent this horrific event, and even more so when it did not know how to protect its citizens immediately after the event became known.
Under these circumstances, the state has no choice but to return the abducted home safely. This is first and foremost a state interest, which lies at the solid foundation of national security and the public and social resilience of the State of Israel. The release of the abducted, at least the civilians among them, must be unconditional.
This is the time, inter alia, to lean on the Abraham Accords, and use them to exert diplomatic pressure on the terrorist organization Hamas. It is the duty of the Arab and Muslim countries that have signed peace agreements with Israel to attend to this matter. This should a supreme interest of these countries, and not of Israel alone.
Hamas threatens the national security of many countries in the Middle East. These states must join together to free the abducted, at least the civilians, safely and unconditionally.