Sharon threatens to hold up prisoner release

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has today ruled out the release of more Palestinian prisoners until the Palestinian Authority…

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has today ruled out the release of more Palestinian prisoners until the Palestinian Authority moves against militants.

Israel freed 500 jailed Palestinians on February 21st as part of a pledge to release 900 prisoners in a goodwill gesture towards the moderate new leader of the Palestinians Mahmoud Abbas, who declared a ceasefire along with Mr Sharon at a summit in Egypt in February.

But speaking ahead of ministerial-level talks with Palestinians later today on prisoners, one of the most emotive issues in Palestinian society, Mr Sharon set new conditions for a release amid media reports 400 men might go free soon.

"Let it be clear, there will be no prisoner release before steps are taken against terror," a senior government official quoted Mr Sharon telling the cabinet.

READ MORE

"The Palestinians are doing nothing about this issue. It would be a mistake of the first order to make even the smallest concession on security. We cannot give them the opportunity to wage a continuous campaign of fire towards Jewish communities."

Gaza settlements and communities in southern Israel have come under sporadic rocket and mortar bomb fire by militants who either did not agree to a de facto truce or said they were retaliating for Israeli attacks.

Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said Mr Sharon's comments showed Israel had frozen the implementation of confidence-building understandings reached in Egypt.

"It's clear that the only thing that is not frozen is the continuation of settlement activities, the [West Bank] wall and non-compliance with a cessation of violence," Mr Erekat said.

"Something needs to be done, and this time by deeds and not by mere words, in order to stop the deterioration," he said

There are some 8,000 Palestinians in Israeli jails.