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Palestinian Prisoners Released; Abbas Sets Condition of More before Deal is Struck


As Palestinians celebrated the third installment of the release by Israel of Palestinian prisoners jailed for capital crimes and terrorist acts, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas drew a new line in the sand, demanding that all remaining prisoners be released before he signs any agreement with Israel. Monday night’s prisoner release came despite bitter protests by the families of Israelis murdered by those released and polling showing an overwhelming number of Israelis opposing the gesture to US Secretary of State John Kerry. Angering Israelis even more were scenes of the raucous welcoming ceremony in Ramallah presided over by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas who told the crowd that, “There won't be a final agreement with Israel until all the prisoners are released.” Abbas also used the opportunity to reiterate Palestinian rejection of the previous day’s passage in parliamentary committee of legislation to annex the Jordan Valley to Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu has made a remaining Israeli military presence along the eastern border of the state of Palestine an issue in the negotiations. The Palestinian cabinet held its weekly session in the Jordan Valley in solidarity with the issue. Prime Minister Netanyahu, meanwhile, is also under intense criticism for linking new building starts in Israeli communities located on land acquired in the 1967 war to the prisoner releases in a move to placate his political supporters on the right. Critics argue the cost is excessive because it further marginalizes and isolates Israel within the international community.