List of 87 Palestinian prisoners published
Members of Fatah, DFLP, PFLP to be released from Israeli jails. Knesset members criticize decision; ‘Olmert has knowingly forsaken the safety of citizens,’ MK Sa’ar says
Twenty-nine of the detainees reside in the Gaza Strip and 58 live in the West Bank.
The convicts received sentences ranging from one to 12 years and most of them have already served half of their sentences. The inmates were sentenced to jail terms in military courts for various crimes including: shooting at Israelis, placing explosive devices, throwing Molotov cocktails, attempted murder, arms trafficking, and contact with a foreign agent.
The longest-serving prisoner was arrested in March 2001 for attempted murder while the prisoner who has served the least time was arrested only six months ago for throwing a Molotov cocktail. The youngest member of the soon-to-be-freed inmates is 18 while the eldest, sentenced to eight years in prison for terrorist activity, is 64.
When the government authorized the move yesterday, Prime Minister Olmert stated: "This prisoner release will not affect any pending deal for the release of Gilad Shalit because we are not letting go of any of the prisoners that Hamas is seeking." Six ministers voted against the decision including Shaul Mofaz (Kadima), Yitzhak Aharonovitch (Yisrael Beiteinu), and ministers for Shas. Minister Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beiteinu) was absent during the vote.
The prisoner release is being carried out as a gesture of goodwill to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) for the month of Ramadan. The prisoners are expected to return to their homes in the next few days.
Criticism expressed
MK Zevulun Orlev (National Union-NRP) commented on the publication of the list, which included the names of prisoners who had been involved in shooting attacks and attempted bomb attacks.
“These are dangerous terrorists who have committed terror acts and hurt Israeli citizens. Olmert’s repetitive claim that they are not terrorists with blood on their hands has turned out to be no more than a bluff,” Orlev said.
MK Israel Hasson (Yisrael Beiteinu) also criticized the decision, saying, “If people who have committed terror attacks are released today, I think the State of Israel is betting on its security at this point, and could find itself feeding the circle of terror against it.”
“As long as the Palestinians are unable to provide us with the goods, meaning the dismantling of terror orangisations, we must not give up on our security. Releasing terrorists is a bet. It’s a danger to our safety,” he said.
Representatives of the Yesha Council called on the government to reconsider the release of the prisoners.
“The only difference between the terrorists that may be released and terrorists with blood on their hands, is that those about to be released tried to kill Jews but missed,” council representatives said in a statement.
MK Gideon Sa'ar, chairman of the Likud faction, also commented on the decision to release Palestinian prisoners.
“The Olmert government has knowingly forsaken the safety of the citizens of Israel, and has enslaved it, and has done so for nothing in return,” he said.
Baruch Marzel, an extreme right-wing activist, criticized Olmert’s decision, and accused also accused him of “continuing to forsake the blood of the residents of the State of Israel”.
“It’s clear to everyone that the release of terrorists will lead to terror attacks and blood shed,” Marzel said.
Ali Waked, Amnon Meranda, and Efrat Weiss contributed to this report
