PA Minister on prisoner release: It “opens a door of hope” that other prisoners will be released
In July 2013, US Secretary of State John Kerry made efforts to renew peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Palestinian negotiators demanded that Israel release Palestinian prisoners as a precondition for renewing peace talks, and Israel agreed to release 104 prisoners. PA Minister of Prisoners’ Affairs Issa Karake responds to Israel’s decision to release Palestinian prisoners:
Headline: “Karake: ‘The release of the veteran prisoners is a great achievement that will strengthen peace’”
“[PA Minister of Prisoners’ Affairs Issa] Karake considered Israel’s agreeing to release prisoners imprisoned since before [the] Oslo [Accords were signed], most of whom are accused by Israel of involvement in the murder of Israelis, as breaking the Israeli habit that always prevented the release of prisoners accused of murdering Israelis. He added: ‘If the Israeli government will not [try some kind of] manipulation, the release of these prisoners could be considered a step forward and a wonderful thing, which will open a door of hope to the additional prisoners with regard to their release.”
Headline: “Karake: ‘The release of the veteran prisoners is a great achievement that will strengthen peace’”
“[PA Minister of Prisoners’ Affairs Issa] Karake considered Israel’s agreeing to release prisoners imprisoned since before [the] Oslo [Accords were signed], most of whom are accused by Israel of involvement in the murder of Israelis, as breaking the Israeli habit that always prevented the release of prisoners accused of murdering Israelis. He added: ‘If the Israeli government will not [try some kind of] manipulation, the release of these prisoners could be considered a step forward and a wonderful thing, which will open a door of hope to the additional prisoners with regard to their release.”