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Olmert Releases 441 Palestinian Prisoners

Israeli PM courts Arab support ahead of next week's peace talks

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 19, 2007 9:23 AM CST

(Newser) – Ehud Olmert today requested the release of 441 Palestinian prisoners and promised to stop building new settlements on the West Bank, in the hope of bolstering Arab enthusiasm for upcoming talks on Palestinian statehood. But the gesture was
received coolly: Mahmoud Abbas had asked for 2,000 prisoners, and the West Bank offer, which did not cover expansion of existing settlements, showed no new concessions, Reuters reports.

"If Olmert does not halt 'natural growth' then nothing has changed," said one Abbas aide.
Olmert also reiterated a promise to remove unauthorized settler-built outposts but gave no timetable. The prisoners, all members of Abbas’ Fatah wing “without blood on their hands,” could be free by Friday, pending ministerial review.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, right, walks with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, left, to attend the weekly cabinet meeting, at Fayyad's office in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Monday, Nov. 19, 2007. Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert are due to meet later...
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, right, walks with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, left, to attend the weekly cabinet meeting, at Fayyad's office in the West Bank...   (Associated Press)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert arrives for the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Monday, Nov. 19, 2007. Olmert on Monday told his Cabinet that he will remove unauthorized settlement outposts in the West Bank, pledging to meet a key Israeli commitment under the road map peace plan, a government spokeswoman...
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert arrives for the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Monday, Nov. 19, 2007. Olmert on Monday told his Cabinet that he will remove unauthorized settlement outposts in...   (Associated Press)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert addresses the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Monday, Nov. 19, 2007.  Olmert on Monday told his Cabinet that he will remove unauthorized settlement outposts in the West Bank, pledging to meet a key Israeli commitment under the road map peace plan, a government spokeswoman said....
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert addresses the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Monday, Nov. 19, 2007. Olmert on Monday told his Cabinet that he will remove unauthorized settlement outposts in...   (Associated Press)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, left, attend the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Monday, Nov. 19, 2007.  Israel's Cabinet on Monday debated a proposed release of Palestinian prisoners and Israeli and Palestinian leaders were due to meet later in the day as preparations for...
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, left, attend the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Monday, Nov. 19, 2007. Israel's Cabinet on Monday debated a proposed...   (Associated Press)
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