Mohammed Mar’i; 18/8/08
The Israeli government yesterday approved the release of some 200 Palestinian prisoners, out of around 11,000 prisoners Israel holds in its jails, as a goodwill gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Three ministers of the religious Shas party and Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz of ruling Kadima voted against the move. Sixteen ministers voted in favor. Jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti and Secretary-General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) Ahmed Sa’adat will not be among those freed. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert released a statement saying: “This is a gesture and a trust-building move aimed at bolstering the moderates in the Palestinian Authority and the peace process.”
See: http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4§ion=0&article=112980&d=18&m=8&y=2008
Activists to lobby for release of prisoners in Israel
Mohammad Ben Hussein; 18/8/08
Activist on Sunday said they would take advantage of the scheduled release of four prisoners on Wednesday to press for the release of tens of Jordanians who remain in Israeli prisons. Senior officials from the National Coalition of Political Parties, including representatives from the Islamic Action Front, along with family members of detainees imprisoned in Israel will lobby for their release, according to a statement released by the National Committee for Prisoners in Israel. Children of detainees will release white doves at the Professional Associations Complex on Wednesday to mark the release of the four prisoners and to express hope that the release of their family members will soon follow, said Maysara Malas, one of the event organisers. The ceremony, organised by political activists, professional association leaders and committee members, will celebrate the freedom of Sultan Ajlouni, Salem and Khaled Abu Ghalyoun and Amin Al Sanee, who spent 17 years in Israeli jails.
See: http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=10120
Tags: Israel, Jordan Prisoners, Terrorism, USA