Israel Matzav

Second part of Shalit deal won't include terrorists

At least someone in Israel has gotten some common sense. The 'Palestinians' to be released by Israel on December 18 as part of the terrorists for Gilad deal will not include any 'gestures' to the 'Palestinian Authority.' They will be petty thieves and other minor criminals.

Under the Egyptian-mediated prisoner swap in October that led to Schalit’s release, 477 “heavy” security prisoners and terrorists whose names were agreed upon by Israel and Hamas were released in the first stage of the deal. Another 550 prisoners, of Israel’s choosing, will be released in the second stage, expected to take place on December 18.

Numerous calls from world leaders have come into Jerusalem urging Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to use the opportunity to release Fatah prisoners and build up Abbas’s stature on the Palestinian street. Because of Abbas’s continued refusal to enter into direct talks with Israel – unless Jerusalem stops all construction beyond the Green Line – those entreaties are for the most part falling on deaf ears.

“We will release car thieves, not make any gestures to Abbas,” one government official said. He said that the list of prisoners to be released is being drawn up by the Justice Ministry, and will be approved by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Government sources said that with Abbas continuing to stay away from the talks and waging an aggressive diplomatic campaign against Israel throughout the world, there is no reason at his point to reward him with any goodwill gestures.

You can bet that under Olmert they would have released heavy Fatah terrorists. And in fact, Abu Mazen tried to claim that Olmert offered him just that. Thankfully, it looks like (as of now), for once, Abu Mazen will not be getting something for nothing.

What could go wrong?

Labels: Abu Mazen, Hamas-Fatah reconciliation, terrorists for Gilad trade, Unilateral declaration of independence (UDI)

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 7:36 AM