As a show of good will in the run-up to the Annapolis Appeasement Summit. And what show of good will have the Palestinians made?
By Josef Federman for AP (thanks to all who sent this in):
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli Cabinet on Monday approved the release of 441 Palestinian prisoners in a gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, but stopped short of U.S. demands to halt West Bank settlement construction before a crucial Mideast conference.The Cabinet vote took place ahead of a meeting between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Abbas later in the day. The two men were trying to break a deadlock in preparations for the U.S.-hosted peace summit, which is expected to take place in Annapolis, Md., next week.
Israel sees the conference primarily as a ceremonial launching pad for new peace efforts, while the Palestinians want a more detailed plan for how post-conference talks will proceed.
Seeking to drum up support for the conference, Olmert is heading to Egypt on Tuesday for talks with President Hosni Mubarak, his office said. Arab League members are to decide on Friday whether they will join the gathering. High-level Arab attendance is seen as crucial to the success of nascent peace moves.
With the outcome of Annapolis uncertain, Israel has been under U.S. pressure to take steps, including a settlement freeze and a large-scale release of Palestinian prisoners, to bolster Abbas.
The Cabinet overwhelmingly approved Olmert's proposal to release 441 prisoners. Although the release would be the largest in years, it fell short of Palestinian calls to free some 2,000 prisoners. Israel holds an estimated 9,000 Palestinian prisoners.
"We welcome the release of any prisoners," said Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki. "But this is not enough. We will continue demanding the release of all prisoners."
And they'll probably get it, eventually.
"We welcome the release of any prisoners," said Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki. "But this is not enough. We will continue demanding the release of all prisoners."
It's never enough, is it? No matter what concessions are given them, it's never enough, it's always more, more, more.
Israel is slowly committing suicide and it hurts to watch.
"Israel sees the conference primarily as a ceremonial launching pad for new peace efforts"
....and for the 4,329th time the Israelis are willing to agree to a peaceful co-existence with Islam....
.....you would think they had learned how to identify an effort in futility......
....talk about faith!....well, maybe blind faith....
...armageddon is just around the corner.....
Why is Olmert still in power? Honestly why?
Olmert should not only be lifted from power but the new Israeli governmnet should ignore the the clueless diplomacy of Condi Rice and her band of bufoons. The Israelis have to take their security into their own hands. Releasing sworn enemies back into the herd of those who seek Israel's annhilation is foolhardy. How many times can you be fooled again and again and again?
Keep showing that good will, Ol-merde. That and a buck will buy you a small coffee.
I wonder how many of the 441 will be participating in the "Blow-up-an-America-mall-for-Christmas" tour?
Foreign dhimmi of the year-Idiot Olmert in a landslide. Nobody even comes close to this traitor.
We will just let them have the Sudetenland and things will be fine. Next they will want all of Czechoslovakia and then they will just take Poland because they know nobody is going to a d@mn thing about it. Oh wait I'm sorry... I must have mistaken this for 1938.
Eric66, that's the question I repeatedly ask my Israeli friends, and all I keep hearing back is that "it's a mess over there", with major disagreements over policy, corruption (even "good" potential leaders seem to have serious "baggage" that would impede them rising to power), and a general loss of cohesiveness. The pride-of-country of the sabas seems to have died out.
As we should learn from Europe's travails with Muslim immigration, so should we heed what we see happening with Israel. I fear we're not far behind on that front, too.
Vee,
I would say that pride has left the Israeli people. I know they have a no confidence vote and with an approval rating of like 5 percent, why isnt it happening? I dont get it. This guy makes Neville Chamberlin look tough.
we do have alot to learn from this. '08 I believe with cement our future, good or bad.
Help! My country is so stupid! Please FedEx cerebellums ASAP!
chsw, "shot" ?
That's the kind of remark that will get this JW site into undeserved trouble.
Mr. Spencer:
You forgot to put "Palestinians" in quotation marks.
So the Israelis have approved the release of 441 Jihadis, presumably after being leaned on by the likes of Rice. How many of them will return to terrorism? Any advance on 440? As sure as hell, the West and the Islamists will grin, more atrocities will get carried out by the newly-released, then the collective shrugging of shoulders in the West will begin. The depressing thing is - we've seen it all so many times before. Terrorism is a crime against humanity. Now if these terrorists launched rockets at, or sent suicide bombers into any Western city, the population would surely demand a stop be put to it - by force if necessary. But stupid and cowardly Western lefties demand Israel ceases to exist, let alone act in self-defence.
Oops - should have deleted the words "if necessary" from the above post.
Assalamau Laikum all,
I really don't understand some of the postings here ralating to this subject. Israel is doing what it needs to to safeguard their needs....and that is to be a good neighbour to the pals.
Why do YOU need to interfere in this process? Olmert is in charge, his peoples are happy with his leadership...why is the Amerike showning such negativity towards them running their own affairs...please butt out!
OT but nonetheless interesting---the following is a link of Fred Thompson talking about a lot of ME issues, including the upcoming conference.
http://pajamasmedia.com/2007/11/fred_thompson_war_on_terror_co.php
Positives:
--Never uses the phrase "religion of peace"
--Never uses the phrase "Palestinians"
--Says that many of our "allies" are in fact not our friends (in the context of a question about CAIR)
--"Questions" why more moderate Muslims do not speak out in outrage about Jihad
--Critical of the Annapolis conference in general
Negatives:
--Never uses the phrases "Islamo-Fascism" or "Jihad"
--Repeated use of the word "radical"
--Mever mentions an apostate or what is done to apostates under Sharia law
A more detailed look at a candidate than what one can find the the MSM.
"Olmert is in charge, his peoples are happy with his leadership"
A lie
Poll: If elections held today, Olmert would be thrashed by his rivals
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/834426.html
"We welcome the release of any prisoners," said Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki. "But this is not enough. We will continue demanding MORE AND GREATER CONCESSIONS UNTIL THE CALIPHATE IS RE-ESTABLISHED AND YOU ARE ALL UNDER THE YOKE OF ISLAM."
There. Fixed it for you.
Olmert is on the list then, right beside Rice, who is pushing this "peace" talks.
Robert asks, re the Israeli release of 'Palestinian' prisoners,"and what show of good will have the Palestinians made?"
The 'Palestinian' Arab Muslims could, of course, release Gilad Shalit. Or his mortal remains, for a decent Jewish burial. It would be nice if the 'Palestinians' persuaded Hezbollah to give back Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, too.
The Israelis should be digging in their toes and saying - give back Gilad Shalit, or we do NOT even bother to go through this charade at Annapolis.
As for those Muslim Arab prisoners, failed jihad raiders the lot of them, who have just been released into the wild..tag and track, tag and track. I hope their names and mug shots have been released to the intelligence services, army and police force of every last non-Muslim country.
ImNoDhimmi, I know what you mean. It hurts to watch.
Shy Guy. Hang in there. Pray. I'm praying right along with you.
Seriously: what can people like me - Gentiles who care about Israel - do to help? Is there ANY way things can be turned around?
To whom it may concern: is anyone, anywhere in Australia, organising pro-Israel prayer sessions and/ or public demonstrations to take effect both before and during the Annapolis meeting?
No prisoners, put them up against a wall and shoot them, then you will not be fighting them again in a few days !!!