Another 'Goodwill' Terrorist Release on the Horizon Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is planning to release hundreds of terrorists from Israeli jails in another "good will" gesture to prop up the government of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
Some 300 to 400 terrorists are reportedly set to be released prior to the upcoming U.S.-sponsored Middle East summit to be held November 26 in Annapolis. PA leaders have demanded that Israel free 2,000 terrorist prisoners prior to the conference.
Eighty-six terrorist members of Abbas's Fatah gang were released last month in honor of the Muslim month of Ramadan. Of those, 29 were returned to Gaza despite objections by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi.
The IDF Chief of Staff said in a letter to Defense Minister Ehud Barak that the release was problematic "in terms of moral values" as long as IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit remains in captivity in the Hamas terror-controlled region.
In response, the Prime Minister's Office retorted that Ashkenazi "is not the government's morality officer," although Barak upheld the IDF Chief of Staff's right to express his opinion.
Fifty-seven other jailed Fatah terrorists were allowed back into PA-controlled areas of Judea and Samaria a day earlier.
This past summer, the Prime Minister ordered the release of 256 terrorists from Israeli prisons, as well as amnesty for 178 wanted terrorists on the condition that they turn in their weapons and sign a document to change their violent ways.
Many of those were crossed off Israel's "wanted" list despite their not having actually signed their commitment signature, picked up new weapons and returned to work planning new attacks on Israeli civilians, according to a report in August by World Net Daily. They were also eligible to receive up to NIS 60,000 (approximately $15,000) from the PA government for turning in their weapons, depending on which type of gun it was.
The wanted men were given a three month "trial period" in which to avoid terrorist activities prior to being officially removed from the "fugitive" list. They later were to receive new weapons from the PA government after joining the PA security force, according to the report.
In July, Olmert released 255 Fatah prisoners from the Ketziot security prison where riots last month resulted in more than 100 people injured. The release was conditional upon the terrorists making a promise that they will not murder Israelis. Most of those had been convicted of attempted murder or placing bombs in hopes of murdering citizens of the Jewish State.
One terrorist in the July release declined to leave because he preferred to continue receiving free medication for his arthritis.
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