Palestinian prisoner release - new era or more errors?

Cross posted: Israel News  Middle East Analysis

[zionism-israel.com 20.07.07] Israelis have mixed feelings about the release of Palestinian prisoners and so do Palestinians. For Israelis, it is a worthwhile gamble if it really helps to destroy the Hamas and strengthen moderate Palestinians. But such gambles have not paid off in the past. Palestinians complained that they were not consulted about the list at all, but Abbas promissed that more would be freed shortly. Everyone was all smiles today as the prisoners got off the busses and were greeted, and Israeli PM Olmert promised the dawn of a new era. 

 

Most of those freed are from the Fatah movement, but they also include 61-year-old Abdel Rahim Malouh, second in command in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which assassinated Israeli minister Rehavam Ze'evi in 2001. Malouh initially would not sign a form saying he would refrain from any terror activity in the future. Hechanged his mind when Abbas intervened personally, according to a PFLP lawmaker.

 

Ami Isseroff