The "Shurat HaDin" Israel Law Center has written to Prime Minister Sharon and Cabinet ministers, condemning the government's planned release of 100 Palestinian terrorist prisoners. "Based upon the tragic results of prior 'goodwill' prisoner releases," Shurat HaDin writes, "it is certain that many of those prisoners being freed, will immediately resume their involvement in terrorist organizations and again attempt to kill and maim Jewish civilians. Moreover, some of the terrorists being released have been convicted of murder. In the past, Israel refused to free Palestinians with 'blood on their hands.'"
In her letter to the Israeli Government, Shurat HaDin Director Nitsana Darshan-Leitner wrote, "Releasing those accused of terrorism is not a 'goodwill' gesture, it is a reckless and perilous act that further endangers the lives of ordinary citizens… Rather than creating a deterrence through prosecutions and imprisonment, releasing these criminals - some before trial - with no real punishment nor contrition, sends a strong message to the terrorist organizations and their leaders that they have nothing to lose by continuing their murderous campaigns in Israeli cities… To simply set free these 100 criminals for no other reason than the government’s inability to withstand pressure from Washington and Europe, raises serious questions regarding its moral fitness to lead."
One of the terrorist-prisoners whose release the PA is seeking is Fatah terrorist-chief Marwan Barghouti, imprisoned by Israel over a year ago for his responsibility in the murder of at least 14 Israelis. Today, the last day of the prosecution stage of his trial, Barghouti cited Ariel Sharon's recent remarks in his defense. "Sharon himself said that this was an occupation," Barghouti said, "so you have no authority to try me." The judges did not agree. Barghouti also said that after "what Sharon said, [Israel] must apologize for what you have done to the Palestinian nation [sic] for the past 37 years."