Israeli Cabinet OKs release of prisoners.
Most Native Americans know what it’s like to be prisoners in there own land. Those days are pretty much over for us. The Israelis have been going through it nonstop to this day.
Before you comment on how I’m comparing the holocaust to the demise of Native Americans. STOP. I’m not.
I sincerely hope that this latest effort of good faith works.
Written by GussThe Israeli Cabinet on Sunday approved the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners, officials said, in the government’s latest gesture of support for moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
However, the officials said Israel had still not finalized the list of prisoners to be freed or the timing of the release. Palestinian officials said they were disappointed Israel wasn’t coordinating the release with them.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert agreed to the prisoner release at a June 25 summit with Abbas as part of Israel’s strategy of bolstering the Palestinian leader in his standoff against Hamas militants.
Israel also has transferred more than $100 million in frozen tax funds to Abbas, and pledged to ease travel restrictions on Palestinians in the West Bank.
“We want to use every means that can strengthen the moderates within the Palestinian Authority, to encourage them to take the path that we believe can create conditions for the start of meaningful discussions,” Olmert said in a televised statement at the opening of the meeting.
Israel is holding some 10,000 Palestinian prisoners.
The prisoner release would be the first since February 2005, when Israel freed 500 in a similar move aimed at bolstering Abbas, who had just won election as Palestinian president.
Olmert said none of the prisoners “have blood on their hands” - Israeli terminology for people involved in deadly attacks. He said the release had been cleared with Cabinet ministers and security officials.
~J~ Says:
July 8th, 2007 at 8:18 amVisit ~J~
The only thing I will quibble with you about is this is the Palestinians’ land. It is not. Some Palestinians were in what is now Israel when the borders were drawn the last time, but this has always been land given to Israel by God Himself.
Those who stayed have had the opportunity to participate in every part of Israeli life, including running for and getting seats in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
Before the Palestinians were placed where they are now they were in Jordan, Syria and other places nearby in camps and that was before Israel came into existence in its present form.
If they are not dangerous and will stop some of the violence then let them out and let’s see what happens.
Guss Says:
July 8th, 2007 at 8:23 amVisit Guss
I stand corrected. Thank you.