Cabinet OK’s prisoner release
Another 400 Palestinian detainees to go free in framework of Sharon-Abbas deal
During the session, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon defended the latest goodwill gesture to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in the framework of the Sharm understandings.
"It is important for Israel to stand by the commitments we agreed to at Sharm," he said. "It doesn't mean that we are completely satisfied with Abu Mazen (Abbas) and the Palestinian Authority's actions."
However, those who believes there will be a direct transition from the disengagement to the U.S.-backed road map is mistaken, Sharon said said.
"Many things still need to happen before, and until now I have not seen a change," he said.
‘No reason to reward Hamas’
The prime minister also noted Israel has some serious qualms with the Palestinians regarding the implementation of the Sharm understandings.
“However, those who think the events of the last months could strengthen radical forces of terror, certainly understand the need to boost the central, moderate element in the Palestinian Authority and deliver on what we promised,” he said.
An official in the prime minister's office told Ynetnews the Israeli government hopes that Sunday's decision to release 400 additional Palestinian prisoners "would finally and once and for all" compel the PA to take the necessary steps to curb terror against Israel, which it has so far failed to do.
Before the government session, Netanyahu slammed the decision to free more Palestinian prisoners while the PA fails to act against terror.
“The Palestinians failed to act against those terror groups,” he said. “Therefore, I see no reason to reward Hamas while the army chief and others warn about the Hamas getting stronger,” he said
Security officials examine list
Notably, Israel has loosened previous release criteria stipulating that only prisoners who served at least two-thirds of their sentence be freed. The move was necessary because apparently too few detainees would have been released otherwise.
However, prisoners with “blood on their hands” would remain behind bars for the time being.
The list of detainees slated to walk free would now be forwarded to the ministerial committee for prisoner release affairs, which is expected to confirm the names.
Earlier, security officials went over the list of names and examined the danger posed by each prisoner.
Meanwhile, Sharon also bid farewell to outgoing IDF Chief-of-Staff Moshe Yaalon during the session.
"I wanted to thank you for your splendid service and I wanted to thank you for leading the IDF during the recent conflict in an honorable manner," he said. "You demonstrated decisiveness and courage…you saved citizens' lives and because of that you deserve our thanks."
- Alan D. Abbey also contributed to this article.
