BICOM

Israel completed the release of 26 Palestinian prisoners, all of whom had been convicted of involvement in the murder of Israelis more than nineteen years ago.

On Sunday, a special ministerial committee approved the release, the second stage in the overall release of 104 Palestinian prisoners, which Israel agreed in July in order to pave the way for the resumption of peace talks. The first batch of releases was completed in August. Sunday’s decision sparked opposition by some coalition members, particularly the Jewish Home party. Speaking yesterday, Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon commented “Things are complex, obligating us to be responsible and prudent… to see the long term. This is a difficult and painful day for all Israeli citizens, especially for the families of the victims.”

The families launched a late appeal against the releases that was rejected by Israel’s High Court of Justice; ruling there were no legal grounds to block the move. A representative of the organisation acting for the families commented “If the murderers are out, there will not be peace.” Among those released were Amer Massoud Issa Rajib who in 1993 killed an Israeli who had been working on economic revitalization plans for Gaza and Yosef Mahmad Haza Haza who murdered two hikers in the Gilboa region in 1985.

Five of the prisoners were released from Ofer Prison and transported to the Erez crossing where they entered the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. The remaining twenty one prisoners entered the West Bank and were welcomed by a jubilant crowd of several thousand in Ramallah, including Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbasand PA Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah. The prisoners laid wreaths at the grave of former PA President Yasser Arafat. Addressing the crowd, Abbas declared “There will be no final [peace] agreement without the release of all the prisoners.”