'Israel may free Palestinian prisoners when peace talks resume'
Netanyahu tells EU officials Israel will improve quality of life in West Bank if progress is made.
By Barak Ravid and Haaretz Correspodent Tags: Gilad Shalit Benjamin Netanyahu Middle East peace Israel newsPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday told European officials that he would consider releasing Palestinian prisoners when Middle East peace talks resume.
"We are prepared to do many things to improve the quality of life in Judea and Samaria," said Netanyahu referring to the West Bank. "But we first expect some movement on the Palestinian side."
"We are weighing releasing prisoners, but as you know, this is a sensitive issue in Israel because of the subject of [abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier] Gilad Shalit," the prime minister told the EU diplomats. "The matter depends on political movement from the Palestinian side."
Netanyahu did not specify whether the release of prisoners would take place in conjunction with indirect negotiations with Palestinians or as part of direct talks.
Netanyahu said that Israel and the Palestinians are very close to resuming "proximity talks," or indirect negotiations. "We are discussing the structure and the time-frame of the negotiations with the Americans," said Netanyahu, adding that he could not elaborate.
However, Netanyahu told the EU officials, "It is impossible to deal with the core issues of a peace agreement without direct negotiations."
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Netanyahu could have brokered a deal for Shalit's release 3 years ago. Sounds like he's holding out for a bigger prize,Palestinian land,the man is incorrigible
...of these political prisoners. It has been said that one judges a democracy by its justice system; and these political prisoners are an indication that democracy is heading in the wrong direction in Israel.
This is the clearest indication so far Israel has no intention either of freeing anyone or talk peace. And this is a policy followed since 1947.
Abbas will have to receive this concession in advance in order to agree to participate in bogus peace talks.
Back in the 70s, it was a point of pride for Jews that the Israeli government would instantly trade unlimited resources/prisoners/etc for one (or a few) 'Jewish' soldier(s). Now Israel's mystique of sharp morality has been replaced by an aura of political cunning. You have to wonder if Israelis had to vote either "let Shalit rot for ten years", or "give each Israeli a new TV"... How would Israelis vote? Would 96% vote for Shalit? 92%? Unless Netanyahu has a peace deal worked out, and is waiting to spring it, he is just using Shalit as a political tool.
The let them vote on how to improve their lives
12,000 Palestinian prisoners, many held without trial in Israeli jails simply for being political opponents, for not agreeing with the Israeli right wing Zionists. Netanyahu treats them like pawns - give us more CONCESSIONS and more FREE LAND and we may let some of them go (or we may not, for we are the masters here and we shall decide the fate of political opponents). Are we sure that Bibi is living in the 21st or even 20th Century? He treats prisoners like hostages, to be bargained for gold, like some sleazy 18th Century brigand. The rule of law seems to have virtually ceased in Israel in 'political' matters. It is inconceivable that any western democratic government - or even third-world autocratic ones - would be up for government-approved ransom of political prisoners as Netanyahu is pushing here as Israel's 'big offer'. By their actions you shall know them.
What ever happened to'if they will give then they will get.' Netanyahu continues to give and we get......
Netanyahu is deliberately making life difficult for all Palestinians while in occupation. Collective punishment is a crime. Holding Palestinians hostage to release them only when demands are met is also a crime.
Israel may free prisoners. Linked to release of Israeli Soldier. So Israel acknowledges that it has kidnapped many Palestinians, many children, and would release them if the soldier is released. How absolutely immoral. Many of the Palestinians are held without charge with no reason for their imprisonment. At least Galid is a soldier and as such could have expected to end up as a prisoner if he was caught. The Palestinian children should be released immediately.