Israel Agrees to Release 540 Palestinian Prisoners Including Members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad - 2003-07-28

Israel's cabinet has agreed to release 540 Palestinian prisoners, including members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The release, which was approved on Sunday with 14 votes in favor and 9 against, is seen as a sign of goodwill from Israel towards the actions of Mahmoud Abbas, the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority. An official accompanying Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon during a visit to Washington stated that 210 members of Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement would be among those released. On Sunday, Mr. Sharon stated that Israel would continue to build protective walls around the West Bank, claiming that the construction of these walls is to prevent attacks from Palestinian terrorists. U.S. President Bush referred to the protective walls around the West Bank as a 'problem' during his meeting with Mahmoud Abbas on Friday. Meanwhile, Palestinian officials described the operation's goal as an extension of Israel's occupation. It is expected that the issue of the protective walls will be discussed between Mr. Sharon and Mr. Bush on Tuesday. The dismantling of a checkpoint in Ramallah near the West Bank by the Israeli government is seen as another sign of goodwill from the country. For the first time in three years, uninterrupted movement has been observed. Israeli and Palestinian workers have been seen removing concrete blocks from a road that connects commercial and political areas to villages. Recently, Israeli officials stated that three border walls that had been erected around the Palestinian rebellious area for 34 months would be dismantled. These officials also indicated that military forces would withdraw from two areas located on the outskirts of the West Bank. Over the past three years, Palestinian pedestrians have had to wait for hours in long lines at Israeli soldier checkpoints.