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Israel to Release 250 Fatah Prisoners

PM Olmert makes pledge at summit with Arab leaders

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Jun 25, 2007 4:58 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Israel plans to free 250 Fatah members as part of an international push to shore up Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the Washington Post reports.The announcement came at the close of a summit at a Red Sea resort, where Mideast leaders gathered to talk about dealing with Hamas in the wake of the Gaza takeover.

Israeli PM Ehud Olmert said he would ask his Cabinet to free Fatah prisoners  "who do not have blood on their hands," and on the condition that "they sign a commitment not to return to violence." International leaders hope such conciliatory moves will lay the groundwork for renewed Mideast peace negotiations, though the Fatah-Hamas split complicates matters.

In this photo released by Israel's Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, left, shakes hands with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak prior to their meeting in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, Monday, June 25, 2007. (AP Photo/Moshe Milner, GPO, HO)
In this photo released by Israel's Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, left, shakes hands with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak prior to their meeting in the Red Sea resort city...   (Associated Press)
Seen from left to right, are Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as they sit together prior to their meeting in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, Monday, June 25, 2007. (AP Photo /...
Seen from left to right, are Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as they sit together prior to their...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by Israel's Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, left, shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas prior to their meeting in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, Monday, June 25, 2007. (AP Photo/Moshe Milner,GPO, HO)
In this photo released by Israel's Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, left, shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas prior to their meeting in the Red Sea resort...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by Israel's Government Press Office, from left to right, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sit together prior to their meeting in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, Monday, June...
In this photo released by Israel's Government Press Office, from left to right, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and Palestinian President...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by Israel's Government Press Office,Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, center, King Abdullah II of Jordan , far left, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, right, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas left, sit during their meeting in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, Monday, June 25,...
In this photo released by Israel's Government Press Office,Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, center, King Abdullah II of Jordan , far left, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, right, and Palestinian President...   (Associated Press)
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Fatah gets support from summit leaders, Hamas from al-Qaeda
Telegraph (UK)

Olmert cautions against hope of "dramatic breakthrough" for peace
Al Jazeera

Haniya speaks out against summit
Al Jazeera

 
Israel • Ehud Olmert • Gaza • Mahmoud Abbas • Palestine • Hamas • Fatah • Palestinian civil war • West Bank

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