Olmert, Peres: Palestinian Prisoners Released Today For Abu Mazen

By Israel News Agency Staff


Jerusalem ----October 2, 2007 ...... The following was communicated by the Israel Prime Minister’s media adviser and the Israel Government Press Office to the Israel News Agency.

Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s media adviser has released the following statements: “We would like to clarify that Israel President Shimon Peres last night, signed orders commuting the sentences of approximately 30 Palestinian security prisoners from the Gaza Strip, who have no blood on their hands. This is in wake of the Government decision to release them as a gesture to Palestinian Authority President Abu Mazen and after the political leadership considered all aspects of their release. The Israel Prison Service will carry out the releases this morning.”

“We would like to clarify that the decision to release Palestinian prisoners as a gesture to Palestinian Authority President Abu Mazen was taken by the Israel Government (http://tinyurl.com/2pb4da) and the Israel Ministerial Committee on Prisoner Affairs (http://tinyurl.com/2k8brt). The preparation of the
lists and the releases was carried out in the context of staff work in which all relevant security and legal bodies. Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Israel Defense Minister Ehud Barak, the Israel Government and the aforesaid Committee approved the decision after taking into account all relevant security and diplomatic aspects. The positions of the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister on this issue are identical and coordinated.”