PA minister honors released prisoners, promises to negotiate for release of the rest
“[PA] Minister of Prisoners’ [Affairs] Issa Karake said that the prisoner issue would be a central part of any agreement with the Israeli side – whether it be a framework agreement, [a document of] principles, or an extension of the negotiations – in a way that will require the inclusion of a fixed timetable for the release of all prisoners in the prisons and for the cessation of the policy of arrests [being carried out] in all the cities and villages of Palestine… Karake made his statements during the ceremonies held in the Ramallah and Jenin districts to celebrate the 49th anniversary of Fatah’s Intilaqa (i.e., the “launch” of Fatah; refers to the day of Fatah's first terror attack against Israel in 1965 when it tried to blow up Israel's National Water Carrier) and to welcome the prisoners released in the third phase [of prisoner releases], in the presence of Fatah members and leaders, members of the Fatah Central and Revolutionary Councils, members of the [PA] Parliament (Legislative Council) , the district governors and a large audience comprising the families of the prisoners and the released prisoners [themselves].”
Photo: [PA Minister of Prisoners’ Affairs Issa] Karake during the ceremony in honor of the released prisoners in Ramallah.
Note: The prisoners from Ramallah released in the third phase were, according to the Palestinian daily Al-Ayyam:
Sa’id Tamimi – participated in the kidnapping and murder of Haim Mizrahi on Oct. 29, 1993. He was serving a life sentence but was released in December 2013 as one of 104 terrorists whom Israel agreed to release to fulfill the PA's precondition for renewing negotiations.
Ramadan Yaqub – participated in the murder of Sarah Sharon, who was stabbed to death in Holon on Jan. 20, 1993. He was serving a life sentence, but was released in Dec. 2013 as one of 104 terrorists whom Israel agreed to release to fulfill the PA's precondition for renewing negotiations.
Muhammad Afaneh – participated in the murder of Sarah Sharon in Holon on Jan. 20, 1993. He was serving a 40-year sentence, but was released in Dec. 2013 as one of 104 terrorists whom Israel agreed to release to fulfill the PA's precondition for renewing negotiations.