Israel releases 198 Palestinian prisoners ahead of Rice visit
Washington, 25 August (IranVNC)—Ahead of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s visit to the region, Israel released about 200 Palestinians prisoners to the West Bank, where the jubilation of the Palestinian residents spilled into the streets, Reuters reports.
By: IranVNC
Published: Monday, August 25, 2008
12:55GMT—8:55AM/EST
ISRAEL – PALESTINIANS – PRISONERS – PEACE – RICE
Washington, 25 August (IranVNC)—Ahead of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s visit to the region, Israel released 198 Palestinians prisoners to the West Bank, where the jubilation of the Palestinian residents spilled into the streets, Reuters reports.
Secretary Rice praised the Israeli decision to release the prisoners as it is “something that matters a lot to the Palestinians.”
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has demanded the release of all the prisoners Israel has in custody, saying it is integral to the peace process.
“There will be no peace without the release of all Palestinians imprisoned in Israel,” Abbas told the crowd at a welcoming ceremony for the prisoners in Ramallah. “We will not rest until the prisoners are freed and the jails are empty,” the Jerusalem Post reports.
Rice reaffirmed her goal of helping the Israelis and Palestinians reach a peace deal before President George W. Bush leaves office in January. But she did not give specific details about any upcoming accord between the two sides.
“It’s extremely important just to keep making forward progress rather than trying prematurely to come to some set of conclusions,” said Rice on her way to Tel Aviv.
Israel still has about 11,000 Palestinians in its prisons.
Sources: Reuters, State Department website, Jerusalem Post
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