Israel To Free 250 Palestinian Prisoners

Prime Minister Olmert meets with Palestinian President Abbas in Jerusalem, informs him Jewish state will release Fatah inmates as goodwill gesture in honor of Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. All prisoners freed will be forced to sign commitment not to return to terror

Another goodwill gesture to the Palestinian Authority: Israel will release 250 Fatah prisoners in honor of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha which will take place at the beginning of December, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced Monday during a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Jerusalem.

Israeli officials clarified that the gesture will include the release of prisoners who were involved in terror but belong to the moderate camp, and are not members of Hamas or the Islamic Jihad.

The release is part of Israel's effort to encourage the moderate forces and prove that such gestures can only be reached by taking the road of peace.

All the prisoners slated to be freed will be forced to sign a commitment that they would not return to terrorism.

Israeli officials have began preparing the list of names of prisoners designated for release, which will then be handed over to the Ministerial Committee on the Release of Palestinian Prisoners.

Sources at the Prime Minister's Office said that Israel releases Palestinian prisoners every year ahead of the Muslim holiday.

Source: www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3624350,00.html