The special ministerial committee dealing with the release of Arab prisoners, in a surprising decision, rejected the proposal of Prime Minister Sharon and Defense Minister Mofaz to release several dozen Hamas and Islamic Jihad members. Sharon himself agreed, in the end, to have the matter re-debated by the entire government. In the meantime, 350 other prisoners will be released, after their names are publicized and after Abu Mazen returns from Washington.
Israeli government sources had originally hinted, though did not say clearly, that Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists would not be freed, and that the number of prisoners to be released would be 350. Following weeks of pressure from the PA, accompanied by subtle persuasion by the U.S., the Prime Minister today recommended the release of almost 500 prisoners - based on a list prepared by GSS head Avi Dichter, which included Hamas and Islamic Jihad administrative prisoners. The ministerial committee, staffed by Ministers Mofaz, Lapid, Orlev, HaNegbi, Ezra and Olmert, rejected Sharon's position.
The Prime Minister's Media Advisor "buried" the committee's main decision in the 6th paragraph of a press released issued by the Government Press Office today. Following five paragraphs of introduction and quotes from Prime Minister Sharon, the statement begrudgingly noted,
"Following deliberations, the Ministerial Committee decided to recommend that those Palestinians on the list presented before it today should be released. The Committee also decided that the cases of prisoners about whom doubts have arisen regarding their release would be reevaluated in the government." The words "Hamas" and "Islamic Jihad" were not mentioned in the release.
Sharon reminded the ministers today of his previous warning that, "If terror continues and there is no genuine Palestinian effort to fight and eliminate it, the releases will stop." He noted that there has recently been "significant Palestinian activity in preventing terror and incitement, as well as a considerable reduction in the number of warnings of terror attacks. In addition, the Palestinians are working towards maintaining quiet and are taking action against those who are trying to destroy it." He then added, however, that "no efforts have been made to dismantle the terrorist organizations or their infrastructure."
Minister Zevulun Orlev (National Religious Party) is against the release of any prisoners, while Minister Gideon Ezra (Likud), who originally shared that position, now says that Israel must move towards the PA in a "positive" direction and release those who will not return to terrorist activity.
The PA official responsible for prisoners, Hisham Abdel Razek, met with Shabak (General Security Service) head Avi Dichter last night, and demanded a say in determining who would be freed. Israel did not agree, although the U.S. is pressuring Israel to give in to this demand.
Various elements in the PA made veiled threats to the effect that Israel's refusal to give in to the PA demands would lead to a renewal of terrorism. A proclamation disseminated in Gaza last night, signed by the "National and Islamic Forces Leadership," warns Israel that it must not "violate the terms of the hudna." This, despite the fact that the release of prisoners is not even mentioned in the Road Map. The afore-mentioned Abdel Razek of the PA said today that the latest Israeli decision "has brought the diplomatic process to a dead end." Hamas and Islamic Jihad called the decision a violation of the hudna.
PA leader Abu Mazen said in Cairo yesterday that he would not move to disarm or dismantle Hamas or Islamic Jihad.
Israeli government sources had originally hinted, though did not say clearly, that Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists would not be freed, and that the number of prisoners to be released would be 350. Following weeks of pressure from the PA, accompanied by subtle persuasion by the U.S., the Prime Minister today recommended the release of almost 500 prisoners - based on a list prepared by GSS head Avi Dichter, which included Hamas and Islamic Jihad administrative prisoners. The ministerial committee, staffed by Ministers Mofaz, Lapid, Orlev, HaNegbi, Ezra and Olmert, rejected Sharon's position.
The Prime Minister's Media Advisor "buried" the committee's main decision in the 6th paragraph of a press released issued by the Government Press Office today. Following five paragraphs of introduction and quotes from Prime Minister Sharon, the statement begrudgingly noted,
"Following deliberations, the Ministerial Committee decided to recommend that those Palestinians on the list presented before it today should be released. The Committee also decided that the cases of prisoners about whom doubts have arisen regarding their release would be reevaluated in the government." The words "Hamas" and "Islamic Jihad" were not mentioned in the release.
Sharon reminded the ministers today of his previous warning that, "If terror continues and there is no genuine Palestinian effort to fight and eliminate it, the releases will stop." He noted that there has recently been "significant Palestinian activity in preventing terror and incitement, as well as a considerable reduction in the number of warnings of terror attacks. In addition, the Palestinians are working towards maintaining quiet and are taking action against those who are trying to destroy it." He then added, however, that "no efforts have been made to dismantle the terrorist organizations or their infrastructure."
Minister Zevulun Orlev (National Religious Party) is against the release of any prisoners, while Minister Gideon Ezra (Likud), who originally shared that position, now says that Israel must move towards the PA in a "positive" direction and release those who will not return to terrorist activity.
The PA official responsible for prisoners, Hisham Abdel Razek, met with Shabak (General Security Service) head Avi Dichter last night, and demanded a say in determining who would be freed. Israel did not agree, although the U.S. is pressuring Israel to give in to this demand.
Various elements in the PA made veiled threats to the effect that Israel's refusal to give in to the PA demands would lead to a renewal of terrorism. A proclamation disseminated in Gaza last night, signed by the "National and Islamic Forces Leadership," warns Israel that it must not "violate the terms of the hudna." This, despite the fact that the release of prisoners is not even mentioned in the Road Map. The afore-mentioned Abdel Razek of the PA said today that the latest Israeli decision "has brought the diplomatic process to a dead end." Hamas and Islamic Jihad called the decision a violation of the hudna.
PA leader Abu Mazen said in Cairo yesterday that he would not move to disarm or dismantle Hamas or Islamic Jihad.