Israel Matzav

Netanyahu to Sarkozy: 'Non'

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has turned down a request from French President Nicolas Sarkozy to grant early release to a 'Palestinian' terrorist who attempted to assassinate former Chief Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef (pictured). The terrorist, Salah Hassan Hamori, has French citizenship.

In a letter to the Sarkozy sent earlier this week, Netanyahu said that Hamori did not meet the criteria for early parole. The prime minister wrote that Hamori did not express any regrets for his deeds and that according to the opinion of the state's attorney-general he still represents a threat to the public.

Sarkozy sent the letter to Netanyahu last week, following massive Palestinian pressure on to work toward Hamori's release from jail.

Palestinian groups tried to equate the status of the convicted terrorist to that of captive IDF soldier Gilad Schalit, who holds dual French-Israeli citizenship. Hamori also holds a French identity card.

Hamori, of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, was arrested by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) for his part in the plot to kill Shas's spiritual leader in 2005.

According to Channel 2, the French president sent the letter after Hamori's mother met with him on the matter.

Last year, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner submitted an identical request to then-Israeli counterpart Tzipi Livni.

For reasons I have discussed previously, any comparison between Shalit and Hamori is odious.

It sounds like we will get the same request from the French next year. Hopefully, the Israeli government will continue to say non.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:28 PM