Their mandate is to ensure that only those who meet the guidelines determined by the government will be freed. The list of candidates contains 600 names, including terrorists of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the PFLP.
The government guidelines have not yet been finalized, however. The relevant ministerial committee decided on Wednesday not to approve the release of Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists - but that the full Cabinet should make the final decision. The Cabinet, however, will not discuss this issue in its upcoming meeting this Sunday - delaying the matter until after Prime Minister Sharon's return from the U.S. next week. The Americans don't want to wait, though. U.S. President George Bush is expected to bring up this topic in his talks with Sharon, and Sharon's aides have said that the Prime Minister will "be flexible" on this matter, "as long as Israel's security is not endangered."
The government guidelines have not yet been finalized, however. The relevant ministerial committee decided on Wednesday not to approve the release of Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists - but that the full Cabinet should make the final decision. The Cabinet, however, will not discuss this issue in its upcoming meeting this Sunday - delaying the matter until after Prime Minister Sharon's return from the U.S. next week. The Americans don't want to wait, though. U.S. President George Bush is expected to bring up this topic in his talks with Sharon, and Sharon's aides have said that the Prime Minister will "be flexible" on this matter, "as long as Israel's security is not endangered."