Minister: Free prisoners despite Shalit

[cali]

Prime Minister Olmert says during weekly cabinet meeting 'it's time to show flexibility, generosity' on issue of prisoners ahead of Eid el-Adha holiday this weekend

Ronny Sofer Published: 12.24.06, 16:40

A day following his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert tried Sunday to see whether his ministers would be willing to consider the release of Palestinian prisoners in the near future.

<snip>

"It's time to show flexibility and generosity on this issue," Olmert said during a cabinet meeting, "this view may differ from the ones expressed in previous cabinet meetings, but this is my opinion."

Olmert reported that the matter has been discussed during his meeting with Abbas Saturday, and hinted that the coming Muslim holiday could serve as an appropriate date for the release: "It is customary to make such a gesture on Eid el-Adha."

The prime minister consulted several of his ministers on the issue. Vice Premier Shimon Peres said that there was no reason to refrain from such a gesture prior to kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit's release, in a bid to strengthen the moderate Palestinian factions and Abbas.

<snip>

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3344000,00.html

[Eugene]

1. Israel could free Barghouthi in prisoner deal (Reuters)

Israel could free Barghouthi in prisoner deal
24 Dec 2006 13:14:19 GMT
Source: Reuters

By Allyn Fisher-Ilan

JERUSALEM, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Israel said on Sunday it would consider freeing
Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouthi from jail as part of a prisoner exchange
deal.

The comment by Defence Minister Amir Peretz suggested a change in Israel's
longstanding refusal to consider freeing Barghouthi as it tries to bolster
President Abbas in his showdown with Hamas.

Barghouthi, a popular member of Abbas's Fatah faction, was jailed by an Israeli
court for five life terms for ordering attacks as part of the Palestinian revolt
against occupation. He denied the charges.

The day after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert held a first official meeting with Abbas
in Jerusalem, Peretz was asked by Israel Radio if Israel would free Barghouthi
as part of a deal to secure the release of an Israeli soldier.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L24167080.htm

[Violet_Crumble]

2. I agree that this would be a move that would be in Israel's interests...

Because to do so does display flexibility and a willingness to do what they can do to try to end that impasse. It's the sort of attitude I'd like to see a lot more of from Olmert, imo...

[pelsar]

3. and in return?

will the palestenians stop shooting missiles on israeli cities (including ashkelon?)....will they even let the red cross see if gilat is still alive?...what will the palestenians do in return to help "end the impass"


or will this be like the "cease fire...", like the leaving of gaza, like the removing of the settlements.......

[Violet_Crumble]

4. Okay, so you don't agree with Olmert...

Did you read the article, pelsar? The whole point is in making such a gesture Olmert does it with no strings attached as a goodwill gesture...

[pelsar]

5. I dont NOT agree...

the gesture it fine.....but i keep waiting for the "return" gesture......and its not just me, every israeli i've talked to in the last few months (those on the left side of the line) express more or less the samething.

where is the return gestures?...where have we received anything concrete from the Palestinians that gives us one iota of confidence that what we are doing wont eventually just lead to more bombs more missiles on our cities.....anything?

where is the Palestinian good will? (granted they are rather busy with a civil war of sorts, and we are all waiting to see what the outcome is), but the question still stands.

can you recall anything gesture on the part of the Palestinians leadership to wards israel?

[Scurrilous]

6. Ynet poll: Government to approve prisoner release

Although Gilad Shalit is still held captive, survey conducted by Ynet among ministers reveals government will approve release of Palestinian prisoners even before he is freed. Twelve ministers say they are in favor of release, five are against it

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3344486,00.html

<snip>

"Half a year after he was kidnapped by Hamas, 12 Israeli ministers out of 24, are ready to release Palestinian prisoners ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, a poll conducted by Ynet among the ministers reveals.

Five ministers, including two deputy prime ministers, oppose the Israeli gesture. Another five ministers abstained, and two ministers have yet to answer.

The government is expected to vote on the sensitive issue in the coming days, and should there be no change in the ministers' positions, the government will approve the release.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sought to hold a discussion on the release of Palestinian prisoners ahead of Eid al-Adha on Tuesday, following his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in which PLO official Saeb Erekat asked Olmert for a gesture, in spite of the fact that Abbas is incapable of promoting Shalit's release."

[Eugene]

7. Israel not to free Palestinians yet - sources (Reuters)

Israel not to free Palestinians yet - sources
29 Dec 2006 09:43:12 GMT
Source: Reuters

-snip-

By Matthew Tostevin

JERUSALEM, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has dropped the idea
of freeing Palestinian prisoners as a gesture to President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of a
Muslim holiday, Israeli political sources said on Friday.

Following his first formal meeting with Abbas on Dec. 23, Olmert had suggested such a
release could happen as a way to strengthen Abbas and cement hopes of a revival in
peacemaking even before militants in Gaza free a captured Israeli soldier.

But the sources said that Olmert did not have sufficient support in his cabinet for the
move ahead of the holiday, which starts on Saturday, and had also faced criticism from
the family of the soldier held in Gaza, Corporal Gilad Shalit.

"It does not look as though there will be anything before Shalit is out," said one
political source.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L29742478.htm