The Justice Ministry and Israel Prison Service publicized on the internet this morning the names of 342 Arab terrorist prisoners, out of the 443 that the government has decided to release. The purpose is to comply with a relatively new law guaranteeing the rights of the victim of a crime. It will allow victims to find out whether the terrorist who perpetrated "their" attack is being released, so that they may sue to prevent it, if they so desire. The publication of the names, in accordance with Attorney-General Rubenstein's recommendations, should occur at least 48 hours in advance of the release.
A total of 342 names were publicized today. Almost 160 of them are administrative detainees, while 183 are serving sentences on charges of active terrorism. These include shooting at Israelis, placing bombs, hurling grenades and firebombs, selling weapons, and membership in Hamas and Islamic Jihad. About 30 of the latter were to have been freed this month in any event. Those who will benefit the most from this week's early release are three terrorists whose terms were to end in late 2005. Another 52 were to have been released in the course of the year 2004.
Avi Dichter, head of the General Security Service (Shabak), said last night that he objects to the release of additional terrorists, in light of the refusal of Abu Mazen and Muhammed Dahlan to fight terrorism. "Their fight against the terrorist infrastructures ended before it began," he said, noting that only the Shabak's intensive activities of the past few weeks - and not of the PA - prevented some major terror attacks.
Welfare Minister Zevulun Orlev (National Religious Party), a member of the ministerial committee on the release of terrorists, has called upon Prime Minister Sharon to postpone the scheduled release of 443 PA terrorists this Wednesday. He made the call in light of the shooting attack in southern Jerusalem last night (see below).
A total of 342 names were publicized today. Almost 160 of them are administrative detainees, while 183 are serving sentences on charges of active terrorism. These include shooting at Israelis, placing bombs, hurling grenades and firebombs, selling weapons, and membership in Hamas and Islamic Jihad. About 30 of the latter were to have been freed this month in any event. Those who will benefit the most from this week's early release are three terrorists whose terms were to end in late 2005. Another 52 were to have been released in the course of the year 2004.
Avi Dichter, head of the General Security Service (Shabak), said last night that he objects to the release of additional terrorists, in light of the refusal of Abu Mazen and Muhammed Dahlan to fight terrorism. "Their fight against the terrorist infrastructures ended before it began," he said, noting that only the Shabak's intensive activities of the past few weeks - and not of the PA - prevented some major terror attacks.
Welfare Minister Zevulun Orlev (National Religious Party), a member of the ministerial committee on the release of terrorists, has called upon Prime Minister Sharon to postpone the scheduled release of 443 PA terrorists this Wednesday. He made the call in light of the shooting attack in southern Jerusalem last night (see below).