Abbas asks Israel to release 80 sick prisoners
Palestinian president seeks release of ailing prisoners jailed in Israel as goodwill gesture ahead of meeting with Prime Minister Olmert next week. Abbas set to meet Prime Minister Haniyeh Thursday in bid to resolve PA political crisis
Associates of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas have asked Israel to release 80 Palestinian prisoners as a goodwill gesture ahead of Abbas' meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert next week.
Palestinian sources told Ynet that in the framework of negotiations between the two sides prior to the meeting, the Palestinians demanded that 80 prisoners who are in poor health be freed.
According to the sources, such a move could help establish trust between Israel and the Palestinians, given the humanitarian aspect of the matter. If Israel consents, this may also help increase public support for Abbas and the peace process among the Palestinian public.
Palestinian prisoners confirmed the report, and said that PA officials ensured them they would attempt to promote the issue. The prisoners stated that one of the senior officials involved in the talks noted that "the Israelis have agreed to favorably weigh the issue."
However, the prisoner release will apparently have no bearing on the subject of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, and an exchange deal including Shalit may face further delays in light of the recent crisis in the PA.
Abbas to meet Haniyeh over crisis
President Abbas will meet Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh Thursday in a bid to resolve the political crisis in the Palestinian Authority. Abbas will deliver to Haniyeh the letter of appointment for the establishment of the coalition government.
Abbas was slated to make a speech Thursday presenting the unity deal reached in Mecca. However, in light of conflicts that broke out between the factions in recent days, the speech was cancelled.
Palestinian sources said the crisis erupted because of disagreements over the Interior Ministry portfolio and other appointments.
Another problem facing the unity deal is the declaration of three Palestinian factions Wednesday that they may not join the unity government, and instead serve as an opposition in the Palestinian parliament.
The three factions, the Popular Front, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the People's Party, are protesting the fact they were not included in negotiations over the unity government.
