Israel releases Prisoners

[dems4israel]

Israel to start freeing dozens of Palestinian prisoners today

By Aluf Benn

Israel today will begin the process of releasing 100-200 Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal in which Israeli Azzam Azzam was released from an Egyptian prison last week.


The prisoner release is to take place next week after the completion of all necessary bureaucratic preparations.

The government is expected to authorize today the creation of a special cabinet committee for the release of the prisoners. The committee will be headed by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and will be comprised of Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Public Security Minister Gideon Ezra.

The panel will receive a preparatory report on the prisoners written by the Justice Ministry's Director General Aharon Abramovitz, after which it will confirm the release.

Government officials said yesterday that the criteria for releasing the prisoners will be based on cabinet decisions made in July 2003 and will not include those with "blood on their hands," either by participating in killing Israelis or dispatching others to do so. Those who do not qualify for release include bomb makers.

The Israel Defense Forces and security services also are busy with preparations to facilitate elections in the Palestinian Authority scheduled for January 9.

Efforts are concentrating on repositioning Israel Defense Forces troops and roadblocks throughout the territories, thereby easing the movement of Palestinian voters.

[Paleocon]

1. You forgot the link again!

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