JERUSALEM - No prisoners will be released until the Palestinian Authority takes steps to fight terror, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said during a cabinet meeting Sunday.
“Everyone is asking me to strengthen (Authority Chairman) Mahmoud Abbas, but I say to them ‘not for the price of Israeli citizens’ lives’,” Sharon said. “I would be very pleased if conditions would be created for the transfer of Palestinian towns to their security control, but the Palestinians are not fulfilling their obligations.”
In response, Minister without Portfolio Haim Ramon said "the release of prisoners should not be conditioned upon the Authority’s fulfillment of its security commitments, it is intended to strengthen Abbas."
However, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni said the security demands placed on the PA have taken into account its present ability to fulfill them.
“Israel’s commitment to the release of prisoners is tied to the Palestinian’s security progress, as agreed upon at the Sharm summit,” she said.
In addition, the cabinet approved a plan presented by Disengagement Office Head Yonatan Bassi to provide alternative land for Gaza Strip settlers slated for evacuation in the framework of the scheduled pullout.
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