It sends a message to capture even more Israeli soldiers.

When Olmert decided to exchange several high profile Lebanese prisoners for two deceased Israeli soldiers, I was shocked.  His heart was in the right place but we’re not dealing with the usual suspects here.  It reveals the Israeli Achilles’ heal.  At the end of August, Olmert will do it again but this time releasing 150 Palestinian prisoners.

This news item from Palestine is EXACTLY why I think Olmert’s decision is fatally wrong:

PRC rehearses kidnapping of IDF soldier

The Salah al-Din Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), conducted an exercise in Beit Hanoun on Saturday in which it rehearsed a raid of an IDF base and the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier.

PRC spokesman Abu Abir told Ynet that the drill was aimed at sending a message that “if the Israelis don’t resolve the Palestinian prisoners issue soon and contemplate attacking Gaza, the Palestinian resistance is prepared to not only defend the Strip but also take the initiative and kidnap more soldiers who will never see the light of day unless a prisoner exchange deal is signed.”

It’s a veritable gold mine for the Palestinians.  Capture Israeli soldiers and be rewarded.

To ad insult to injury, the PRC spokesman added:

According to Abu Abir, some 50 PRC members took part in the drill, adding that the gunmen who portrayed the kidnapped IDF soldier “looked very much like Gilad Shalit”.

You’re poking the lion with that one, Mr. Abir.

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