Although the prisoner swap is absurdly unequal, celebrations are going on among both Palestinians and Israelis. However, the mathematics is disturbing, not just to Israeli utilitarians.
On one side, Hamas appears to have achieved a great victory. Hence its popular support will increase. In addition, from the Palestinian prisoners who are released as well as from others inspired by this uneven prisoner exchange, Hamas will add a huge number of cadre to its militant ranks almost overnight.
On the other side, Israel must now take extra security precautions against an enemy force that will be greatly increased. In addition, Israel must arrest or capture another huge number of Palestinians to be ready for brokering the next release of an Israeli captive.
Is this a good deal for the Palestinians? Will it increase the chances of an early peace in the region? I doubt it.
To my thinking, the biggest problem I see with the uneven trade is what it reveals about the collective Jewish psyche. To the Jewish mind, one Israeli Jew is worth more than 1,000 Palestinians. This extreme superiority complex fosters huge injustices and even occasional massacres.
For example, in 1994, Dr. Baruch Goldstein opened fire on unarmed Muslims in prayer, killing 29 and wounding another 125. At the funeral of Baruch Goldstein, who was overcome and beaten to death by the outraged congregation, Rabbi Yaacov Perrin said in his eulogy: "One million Arabs are not worth a Jewish fingernail."
Unfortunately, many Jews do think like Rabbi Perrin. And, because of the vastly unequal value commonly ascribed to the life of Palestinians, many if not most Israelis are blind to the apartheid practiced by the Jewish State.
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