I fear greatly for the future, especially considering how many friends I have in Israel. Are we going from one nightmare to another?
Yet, as Shlomo HaMelech said, there is a time to laugh and a time to cry. This is a time to laugh.
This is also a time to be proud. Proud of a country that released evil murderers because it values the life of an innocent so much more. A country that produces a soldier who, despite being held in unspeakable captivity for five years, has the courage to hope for peace and the strength of character to resist the urge for revenge. A country that loves its children. A country that will live because morality and goodness can never be defeated.
Welcome home, Gilad. You were sorely missed.