Israel frees 224 Palestinians to bolster moderates

[oberliner]

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Israel released 224 Palestinian prisoners Monday in a gesture to moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and jubilant detainees waving Palestinian flags jumped on the roof of one of the buses carrying them to freedom.

Separately, Israel expelled an arriving U.N. human rights envoy after accusing him of bias against the Jewish state. The envoy, Richard Falk, has compared Israel to Nazi Germany and accused the Jewish state of crimes against humanity because of its treatment of Palestinians.

Israel holds more than 8,000 Palestinians, and their fate is an emotionally charged issue. Most Palestinians have had loved ones in prison and view the release of detainees as a test of Israel's willingness to make peace. Many Israelis balk at the idea of freeing Palestinians involved in violence.

But the scene Monday brimmed with joy. One of the prisoners, Abdel Nasser Hussein, 28, was arrested at dawn on his wedding day 30 months ago. His fiancee, Alaa Issa, showed up smartly dressed in a matching coat and head scarf Monday, bearing a bouquet of red roses. They embraced.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ioi_0jtO9RjMwPNRoXNCndRPRq3gD95375180

[Vegasaurus]

1. We could make a long list of the compromises and good faith measures

that Israel has made.

On the Palestinian side?

None.

Not a one.

Not a single compromise now, or ever.

Just 100 years of war, violence, resistance and anti-semitism.

They could learn something from Israel's efforts, and then their lives would improve.

[azurnoir]

2. Good to hear but

I fear it might not be the "moderates" that are bolstered by this move.