Israel should work to bring back kidnapped IDF soldier Cpl. Gilad Schalit, but must not pay any price for his freedom, OC Human Resources Maj. Gen. Elazar Stern said Sunday. Speaking to high school students in Tel Aviv, Stern said "Israel should pay a high price to bring back Gilad .. but there is also responsibility towards the citizens of the state."
Stern told the students that he clearly expressed his opinion on the matter to members of Schalit's family. "Noam Schalit didn't like what I had to say to him," he said, adding that releasing many terrorists would only lead to renewed attacks. "There are limits to what we are willing to do," he said.
However, Stern added that "as a state, we are responsible for doing everything to bring the boys back home Â… but if we open the jails and release killers, who, from past experience, may go back to murdering soldiers and civilians, then we need to take this into account."
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