Video, Kidnapping-for-hostage policy

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Kidnapping-for-hostage policy

Abbas supports using "all means" to free terrorists

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas says that the PA will continue to use "all means" to release all Palestinian prisoners remaining in Israeli prisons.

His statement in Arabic, in response to the release of 20 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a video proving that Israeli hostage Gilad Shalit is alive, counters his statements in English to Western leaders that outstanding issues with Israel will be resolved through negotiations, not violence.

Interviewer: "The occupation [Israel] released 20 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a video confirming that [Israeli hostage] Gilad Shalit is alive. What do you think about this?"
Abbas: "I see it from only one perspective – 20 female Palestinian prisoners have left prison. The price may be high or low, that is not the issue. The issue is that some prisoners have left prison, which gives hope to many others. We have 11,000 prisoners. We will definitely, always and forever, act to free them using all means."
[PA TV (Fatah), Oct. 6, 2009]

Palestinian TV (Fatah)

Oct. 6, 2009

(1 min)