As well it should. From Israel National News, :
At 11:00 AM, 400 Arab terrorist prisoners will be released at five locations throughout Judea and Samaria. The High Court rejected without explanation a petition against the release last night.
The authorities have taken the time to distribute the prisoners to drop-off points near their homes. About a third of the terrorists will be released in each of two places – Tarkumiye, west of Hevron, and Be’erotayim, near Tul Karem – and the others in Erez, Salem, and Bituniya.
Prime Minister Sharon agreed to the release of 900 prisoners this past February, in two stages; today’s installment is the second. The move was to be a gesture towards PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, and a way of strengthening his status within the Arab public of Yesha.
Two of the terrorists refused to leave prison, with one explaining that he wished to complete his high school matriculation studies that he began in prison. The other said he wished to remain with his brother.
The Legal Institute for the Study of Terrorism petitioned the Supreme Court against the release, but was turned down. The Almagor Terror Victims Association also tried to stay the release, turning to the Prime Minister, the Attorney General and the Ministers of Public Security, Justice and Security.
Both organizations maintain that the terrorists to be released do not meet the criteria stipulated by the Cabinet itself. “Many of them are terrorists convicted of severe crimes,” Almagor said, “who received light sentences, in keeping with the policy of recent years. Now they’re leaving prison without even having served 2/3 of their time, as the release policy guidelines dictate, and sometimes not even half. There are even some who served only 10% of their sentences.”
Others pointed out that many of the terrorists to be released are members of Hamas, an organization competing with Abu Abbas for power in the PA. Critics of the deal say that the release will thus not strengthen Abbas, and will rather “inject new blood into the terrorist ranks of Yesha.”