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Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti is currently serving five consecutive life sentences for killing Israelis in terrorist attacks, plus 20 years for attempted murder and 20 years for active membership of a terrorist organization. (file)
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| By israelinsider staff April 8, 2007 |
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A list reportedly containing more than 1,400 names, including many jailed terrorists who have directly participated in or oversaw the slaughter of Israelis, was received by Jerusalem shortly before Passover in the newest development in a prisoner exchange attempt to release kidnapped IDF soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit.
The list, containing Palestinian security prisoners wanted released in the exchange, will be considered by a ministerial commission that will meet this week to discuss the standards for releasing the prisoners.
According to sources close to Hamas and Fatah, the list contains at least 1,400 names from both groups, The Jerusalem Post reported.
Social Affairs Minister Yitzhak Herzog, a security cabinet member, said that the commission will consider allowing more flexibility in the definition of prisoners with "blood on their hands," in order to give more flexibility to the negotiators of Shalit's release.
"Regarding the negotiations, I think we should use original thinking. I understand there has been a progress compared to what we have seen until now. Nevertheless, I would refrain from celebrating just yet," Herzog told Army Radio.
The Prime Minister's Office confirmed Saturday that progress had been made, though negotiations would take time. The PMO usually maintains a policy of not commenting on the Shalit case.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is under increasing pressure to secure the release of Corporal Gilad Shalit, having previously committed himself to not freeing so many prisoners for a single soldier, and none any with "blood on their hands."
Other top Israeli officials warned not to pay heed to Palestinian reports of progress in negotiations in an effort to avoid raising hopes. Over the weekend, PA officials claimed that much progress had been made, and that Israel must make the next move.
"The Egyptian security team [in Gaza] has received from the captors a list with the names of Palestinian prisoners who should be released in exchange for Gilad Shalit," PA Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti told reporters Saturday after the weekly cabinet meeting in Gaza City.
"The Palestinians have done all they can regarding this case and the ball is now in the Israeli court. Israel will now decide how quick the prisoners and Shalit will return home. If the Israeli government is serious in its intentions, it must seize the opportunity to end this chapter," he said.
The PMO did not respond to Barghouti's comments.
PA President Mahmoud Abbas voiced his optimism Friday for Shalit's imminent release, in an interview with the French TV channel France 24.
"I want to tell you that we are making huge efforts to release Gilad Shalit," he said. "These efforts will produce results very soon and he will be released soon."
Abbas repeated, without connection to the Shalit case, his request to Israel to release all Palestinians prisoners.
"We are convinced that Shalit should be released and we hope that Israel will also release all the prisoners. There should be no link between the two cases," Abbas stated.
Knesset Member Uri Ariel of the National Union-National Religious Party reacted negatively to developments Sunday, voicing his fear that former West Bank Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti might be released in the exchange.
"If it's true that Barghouti will be released as part of the Shalit deal -- and I hope it's not -- and if anyone plans to release a murderer who received five life sentences in jail, this will be the government's final failure, and it should quit before going bankrupt," stated Ariel
Marwan Barghouti is currently serving five consecutive life sentences plus 20 years for attempted murder and 20 years for active membership of a terrorist organization.
"Mahmoud Abu Hasirra, a spokesman for the Palestinian prisoners, called on Shalit's captors not to release him unless Israel agrees to free inmates who have been in jail for more than 20 years. He confirmed that the list that was handed to the Egyptians includes many prisoners 'with blood on their hands,' as well as women and minors, reported the Jerusalem Post.
Jerusalem Newswire contributed to this report. |
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