Shin Bet chief: Prisoners' release dangerous
Intelligence organization informed on cabinet's decision, asked to review list of prisoners; Shin Bet chief says though posing threat to public safety, release could bring about calm in West Bank
Nonetheless, Cohen noted that resuming peace talks with the Palestinians will have a positive effect in "calming Judea and Samaria, especially in regards to activists affiliated with the Palestinian Authority, such as the Tanzim group."
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The Shin Bet chief handed the government a list of prisoners divided into three categories: Prisoners the Shin Bet believes can be released, prisoners who should not be released and prisoners who should be released to Gaza or deported.
The list was divided in accordance with the level of threat each prisoner poses to public safety, in the eyes of the intelligence organization.
Cohen also submitted recommendations to minimize risks pertaining to prisoners who are released.
The Shin Bet was updated on the issue of prisoners' release last week, and after reviewing their profiles determined that all were murderers "with blood on their hands" from various organizations and regions. The organization thus fears they might commit additional crimes.
The Shin Bet noted that the organization was not required to inform the cabinet whether it supported or opposed the decision, but was rather only asked to review the manner in which the decision is to be implemented.
The cabinet approved Sunday the release of 104 security prisoners with a majority of 13 ministers voting in favor, and seven ministers opposing the decision. Ministers Limor Livnat and Silvan Shalom abstained.
According to the resolution, 104 prisoners will be released and a ministerial committee to be headed by Netanyahu and ministers Ya'alon, Livni, Aharonovitch and Peri will be established to supervise the process as part of the negotiations with the Palestinians.
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