Palestinian Media Watch has collected several statements made by PA leaders that back up the above fears. Among them are the following:
"The Government of Israel, by reaching this agreement, sends the Palestinians a message, which indicates that the releasing of [PA] prisoners will not happen through negotiations." - Halid Al-Hatib, spokesman for the committee of the relatives of the prisoners in Israeli jails.
"The [Palestinian] citizens believe that Hizbullah's action opened a new door of hope for the families of the prisoners, after it was closed during the [discussions of] political solutions between the [Palestinian] Authority and Israel, which did not lead to any practical results." - Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah newspaper, Jan.27, 2004
Palestinian National Council member Basam Abu Sharif thanked Hizbullah for its efforts to release 400 Palestinian prisoners, and described this act as a "Pan-Arab act deserving of respect."
"The military branch of the Fatah movement organized a civil and military parade yesterday in Rafiah to express appreciation and gratitude for the efforts made by Hizbullah in releasing Arab and Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails... In a manifesto of the Abu Al-Rish Regiments, the military branch of Fatah emphasized the necessity to follow in the footsteps of the act of Hizbullah, so that all prisoners and detainees will be released." - Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah, Jan. 29, 2004
Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin has threatened outright to follow Hizbullah's lead and kidnap IDF soldiers. In response, Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz said at this morning's weekly Cabinet meeting that Yassin and his colleagues are legitimate targets in Israeli sights.
"The Government of Israel, by reaching this agreement, sends the Palestinians a message, which indicates that the releasing of [PA] prisoners will not happen through negotiations." - Halid Al-Hatib, spokesman for the committee of the relatives of the prisoners in Israeli jails.
"The [Palestinian] citizens believe that Hizbullah's action opened a new door of hope for the families of the prisoners, after it was closed during the [discussions of] political solutions between the [Palestinian] Authority and Israel, which did not lead to any practical results." - Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah newspaper, Jan.27, 2004
Palestinian National Council member Basam Abu Sharif thanked Hizbullah for its efforts to release 400 Palestinian prisoners, and described this act as a "Pan-Arab act deserving of respect."
"The military branch of the Fatah movement organized a civil and military parade yesterday in Rafiah to express appreciation and gratitude for the efforts made by Hizbullah in releasing Arab and Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails... In a manifesto of the Abu Al-Rish Regiments, the military branch of Fatah emphasized the necessity to follow in the footsteps of the act of Hizbullah, so that all prisoners and detainees will be released." - Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah, Jan. 29, 2004
Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin has threatened outright to follow Hizbullah's lead and kidnap IDF soldiers. In response, Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz said at this morning's weekly Cabinet meeting that Yassin and his colleagues are legitimate targets in Israeli sights.