Prisoner Release Approved by Cabinet Against Strong Public Opposition

The Israeli cabinet meeting Saturday night approved the third wave of releases Palestinian prisoners despite strong popular opposition and public protests. The release of 104 prisoners who are serving sentences for killing Israeli citizens was agreed-to as a deal-maker for US Secretary of State John Kerry’s peace-making efforts last July. Polling at that time showed very high public opposition to the deal and new polling just released indicates more than three-quarters (79%) of the population is against turning any more prisoners out. 52 prisoners were released in two stages while this week’s release, believed to be set for Monday night, will include 26 more. Public outrage at the release has been intensified by a recent increase in anti-Israel terrorist activity. Kerry himself will return to the region on Saturday and is expected to reveal his personal proposals to both sides. Recognizing the intensified anger by Israelis at what they view as a lopsided gesture and the rising angst accompanying news of the Snowden revelations about American spying on Israeli officials, media speculation suggests Kerry will be offering a new plan for releasing additional Palestinian prisoners with the US throwing Jonathan Pollard into the mix to sweeten the deal for the Israelis. Pollard, a civilian intelligence analyst working for the US Navy in the 1980s, was sentenced to prison for life with no parole for passing classified documents to Israel. Said to be in failing health, obtaining Pollard’s release has been a cause célèbre for decades. The Palestinians, meanwhile, insist Jerusalem’s continued plans to build on land Israel acquired in the 1967 war is proof of its lack of interest in negotiating seriously. Kerry is apparently seeking a formula to offer pot-sweeteners to both sides to keep his process together beyond April, when the 9-months both sides promised Kerry will expire.