Despite remarks reflecting optimism, the two sides agreed only to establish a joint committee to examine the issue that remains the main stumbling block towards an amicable summit meeting Tuesday between Israel, the Palestinian Authority (PA), Egypt and Jordan.
Israel told PA officials Thursday that its "final offer" was the release of 900 prisoners, a proposal which the PA termed "insulting." Israeli officials are split over whether to offer to release more prisoners, including terrorists, or to remain cautious.
President Moshe Katzav announced he would be willing to approve the release of prisoners "with blood on their hands" only if there were humanitarian reasons, such as age or health. No prisoners may be released without Katzav's approval. PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) has demanded the release of at least three murderers who have been jailed since before the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993 and are supposedly old or sick. The PA also has demanded release of other prisoners who have been involved in terrorist attacks.
Prime Minster Ariel Sharon has said he would consider freeing jailed terrorists at a later stage.
Lebanon is also issuing demands for the release of its terrorists from Israeli prisons. The Committee for Freeing Lebanese prisoners in Israel asked Abu Mazen to demand the release of Samir Kuntar, the terrorist responsible for the 1979 murder of three Israelis in Nahariya, on Israel's northwest Mediterranean coast.
Arab terrorist organizations have warned Abu Mazen that any PA compromise on the issue of releasing terrorists would result in renewal of attacks on Israel. "We will settle accounts with anyone who tries to give up on the symbols of jailed leaders, people who have fought with honor and never acted outside of an agreement with Fatah," announced the Al Aqsa Marytrs Brigade, Fatah's terror wing.
Israel told PA officials Thursday that its "final offer" was the release of 900 prisoners, a proposal which the PA termed "insulting." Israeli officials are split over whether to offer to release more prisoners, including terrorists, or to remain cautious.
President Moshe Katzav announced he would be willing to approve the release of prisoners "with blood on their hands" only if there were humanitarian reasons, such as age or health. No prisoners may be released without Katzav's approval. PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) has demanded the release of at least three murderers who have been jailed since before the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993 and are supposedly old or sick. The PA also has demanded release of other prisoners who have been involved in terrorist attacks.
Prime Minster Ariel Sharon has said he would consider freeing jailed terrorists at a later stage.
Lebanon is also issuing demands for the release of its terrorists from Israeli prisons. The Committee for Freeing Lebanese prisoners in Israel asked Abu Mazen to demand the release of Samir Kuntar, the terrorist responsible for the 1979 murder of three Israelis in Nahariya, on Israel's northwest Mediterranean coast.
Arab terrorist organizations have warned Abu Mazen that any PA compromise on the issue of releasing terrorists would result in renewal of attacks on Israel. "We will settle accounts with anyone who tries to give up on the symbols of jailed leaders, people who have fought with honor and never acted outside of an agreement with Fatah," announced the Al Aqsa Marytrs Brigade, Fatah's terror wing.