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[Adventurer]

Israel frees more than 250 prisoners By DALIA NAMMARI, Associated Press Writer



RAMALLAH, West Bank - Israel released more than 250 Palestinian prisoners Friday in a gesture to embattled President Mahmoud Abbas, who pledged not to rest until Israel's jails were emptied of its thousands of Palestinians.



The release was meant to bolster Abbas in his power struggle with the Islamic militant Hamas, which took control of Gaza by force last month.

Several thousand chanting, clapping Palestinians greeted the prisoners as their buses rolled into Abbas' headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Prisoners were hoisted onto the shoulders of dancing supporters, before they performed noon prayers in a large, open-sided tent.

"This is the beginning," said Abbas, wearing a black-and-white checkered baseball cap, a symbol of Palestinian nationalism. "Efforts must continue. Our work must continue until every prisoner returns to the his home," he said.

Israeli and officials of Abbas' government said they hoped the release marked a new chapter in relations, following seven years of bloody fighting.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070720/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_palestinians

[ddeubel]

I echo the sentiments of most observers.

It is nice to see the innocent released from prison, a prison not of their direct making.

But it is on another level to be seen as sad. They stepped ahead of many many others who are rotting away. None of the released were of the 42 democratically elected legislators rounded up and suffering without charges or with trumped up "administrative" charges.

This will be seen as it is. Fatah being bought off, a political deal and not a real deal. No justice. And the method in this maddness, is to keep pursuing a policy of degradement of a people, a policy of division and finally buying peace through controlling the coffer and life line of the adversary.

Let's also not, on this other level, it is a drop in a bucket. If Israel was sincere, they'd release the majority of the kidnapped soldiers.

DD

[Big_Bird]

I agree DD. On the one hand it's so nice to see the prisoners free. On the other hand it's impossible not to feel cynical at the reason for this tasty tidbit being offered. And 250 is just the tip of the iceburg. There are thousands rotting away in Israeli gaols, some of them for years - among them: children, young teenagers, or even young mothers. Held on the flimsiest of pretexts. A disgrace.

[Junior]

-And what do they get in return? More rockets from gaza?

[Big_Bird]

[postfundie]

[Junior]

well lets just spotlight these innocent prisoners for a moment:

Samir Kuntar

"On April 22, 1979, Samir Kuntar led a group of four who entered Israel from Lebanon by boat.The four killed a policeman who came across them. The group then entered a high building where they broke into the apartment of the Haran family.Samir Kuntar shot the father, Danny, at close range in front of his daughter in the back and drowned him in the sea to ensure he was dead. Next, he smashed the four year old girl's head, Einat, on beach rocks and crushed her skull with the butt of his rifle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samir_Kuntar

[Adventurer]

[Sincinnatislink]

I'd like to see the opinions of some Israel supporters here re: more popular terrorist groups, such as the IRA or ANC.

[fiveeagles]

[postfundie]

[Junior]

Next, he smashed the four year old girl's head, Einat, on beach rocks and crushed her skull with the butt of his rifle.

Yes. totally innocent and rehabilititatited..

Would you believe the monster who did this confessed full responsibility and guilt, -yet despite this all his supporters insist on claiming he's innocent because he happens to be a muslim?

[crusher_of_heads]

Israel using released Fatah prisoners as cannon fodder against Hamaas?


How rude!

[just alittlecrazy]

[Big_Bird]