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Israel releases 100 hamas jihad prisoners { July 27 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://web.israelinsider.com/bin/en.jsp?enPage=ArticlePage&enDisplay=view&enDispWhat=object&enDispWho=Article%5El2553&enZone=Diplomacy&enVersion=0& http://web.israelinsider.com/bin/en.jsp?enPage=ArticlePage&enDisplay=view&enDispWhat=object&enDispWho=Article%5El2553&enZone=Diplomacy&enVersion=0& Cabinet approves release of Hamas and Jihad prisoners By israelinsider staff July 27, 2003 The Israeli cabinet voted 14-9 Sunday morning to approve Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's request to release 100 Hamas and Islamic Jihad prisoners. Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had straddled the fence in the days preceding the vote, supported Sharon's proposal. He was joined by fellow Likud ministers Tzipi Livni (Immigration) and Dan Naveh (Health) who had previously expressed opposition to the bill. Naveh explained that he felt it important that Sharon not go "limping into Washington," rhetorically asking "what's the difference between rotten villains of Hamas and those of other organizations?" Sharon had lobbied intensively with Likud ministers prior to the meeting to try to convince them to approve the proposal. Five of his own arty remained opposed, and they were joined by four ministers from the National Union and National Religious Party. The victory was intended to strengthen Sharon's hand as he departed Sunday for a summit in Washington, enabling him to present the move as a confidence-building gesture aimed at strengthening Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas. However, Israel Radio reported that a Hamas spokesman, reacting to the Israeli decision, told Al Jazeera television that the organization demand that all Palestinian prisoners be released, not just "100 here and there." Shin Bet security services chief Avi Dichter and IDF Military Intelligence chief Aharon Ze'evi expressed support for the release of the Palestininan prisoners, which brings to a total of about 600 slated for release so far. Haaretz quoted security sources as saying that many of the new names are guilty of far more serious offenses than those on the original list, although the government insisted that those slated for release do not have Israeli "blood on their hands." While the initial list consisted largely of administrative detainees due to be released soon anyway and Palestinians convicted of criminal offenses, the paper said, the new names are security prisoners convicted of terror-related offenses. The actual release is scheduled to take place mid-week, around the time of Sharon's meeting with President George W. Bush. Security officials reported to the cabinet that terror alerts and incitement in the West Bank and Gaza Strip has declined significantly. The Palestinian public, they said, is internalizing the benefits of a quieter existence. Justice Minister Yosef (Tommy) Lapid, who along with his fellow Shinui minister strongly backed Sharon's proposal, asked him to request that the U.S. establish a supervisory system in coordination with the PA to monitor the released prisoners. Lapid criticized right-wing ministers whom, he said, have "glue on their hands," that keeps them from releasing prisoners even when "political logic," as he called it, suggests the wisdom of their release. Tourism Minister Beni Alon (National Union) sharply attacked the prisoner release on Army Radio, saying that it was absurd that Israel should released terrorists when the PA has done nothing to keep its commitments to dismantle Palestinian terrorist organizations.

Ex mossad head urges israel free palestinian Israel release 69 prisoners meaningless Israel releases 100 hamas jihad prisoners { July 27 2003 } Israel to free militants palestinians Palestinians unimpressed by prisoner releases { August 6 2003 } Files Listed: 5

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