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Olmert Flip-flops On Palestinian Prisoner Release And Shalit

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has reversed himself on a promise not to release Palestinian prisoners before Cpl. Gilad Shalit is set free by his Palestinian captors. Pressured by Washington to offer gestures aimed at boosting Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud ‘Abbas’ esteem among the Palestinian people, Olmert said he would release 250 prisoners who were not directly involved in causing the bloodshed of Israelis. Olmert made the announcement on Monday at a summit meeting with ‘Abbas, Jordanian King Abdallah II and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the first anniversary of Shalit’s capture. Olmert’s right-wing critics find themselves in agreement with a number of Palestinian pundits, all of whom say the gesture will have no discernable effect on ‘Abbas’ standing.