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| Israeli cabinet split over Palestinian prisoner release | Israeli cabinet split over Palestinian prisoner release |
| (about 2 months later) | |
| The Israeli cabinet was engaged in a fierce battle on Sunday over a proposal to release around 100 long-term Palestinian prisoners from its jails as part of a US-brokered effort to begin preliminary talks on a possible resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict this week. | The Israeli cabinet was engaged in a fierce battle on Sunday over a proposal to release around 100 long-term Palestinian prisoners from its jails as part of a US-brokered effort to begin preliminary talks on a possible resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict this week. |
| The start of the weekly cabinet meeting was delayed by 90 minutes as the prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, lobbied ministers to support his plan. A close vote was expected. | The start of the weekly cabinet meeting was delayed by 90 minutes as the prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, lobbied ministers to support his plan. A close vote was expected. |
| The Palestinians have said that without the release of the prisoners, who have been in jail for more than 20 years, they will not participate in talks about talks in Washington, scheduled to begin on Tuesday. The Palestinian leadership is anxious to secure a tangible gain for returning to negotiations amid deep scepticism among the public. | The Palestinians have said that without the release of the prisoners, who have been in jail for more than 20 years, they will not participate in talks about talks in Washington, scheduled to begin on Tuesday. The Palestinian leadership is anxious to secure a tangible gain for returning to negotiations amid deep scepticism among the public. |
| Netanyahu told the cabinet that resuming peace talks was important to Israel, and tough decisions needed to be taken for the good of the country. He acknowledged that the move to release prisoners was not easy for him, cabinet colleagues or Israeli families. | Netanyahu told the cabinet that resuming peace talks was important to Israel, and tough decisions needed to be taken for the good of the country. He acknowledged that the move to release prisoners was not easy for him, cabinet colleagues or Israeli families. |
| On Saturday, the prime minister issued an "open letter" to the Israeli public. "I agreed to release 104 Palestinians in measured stages, after the start of the negotiations and in accordance with their progress. This is an incredibly difficult decision. It's painful to the bereaved families, it pains the entire people of Israel, and it's very painful to me," he said. | On Saturday, the prime minister issued an "open letter" to the Israeli public. "I agreed to release 104 Palestinians in measured stages, after the start of the negotiations and in accordance with their progress. This is an incredibly difficult decision. It's painful to the bereaved families, it pains the entire people of Israel, and it's very painful to me," he said. |
| But, he added, "prime ministers from time to time make decisions that go against public opinion, when it is important for the country to do so". | But, he added, "prime ministers from time to time make decisions that go against public opinion, when it is important for the country to do so". |
| Netanyahu is facing stiff opposition. Naftali Bennett, a key coalition partner and the leader of the rightwing Jewish Home party, said on Saturday: "Terrorists must be killed, not released. In every one of my previous positions, I fought against releasing terrorists, and I have no intention of acting any differently when I'm in the cabinet. Let my hand be cut off should I vote in favour of releasing terrorists. We support the peace process, but no country in the world would agree to release murderers as a gift." | Netanyahu is facing stiff opposition. Naftali Bennett, a key coalition partner and the leader of the rightwing Jewish Home party, said on Saturday: "Terrorists must be killed, not released. In every one of my previous positions, I fought against releasing terrorists, and I have no intention of acting any differently when I'm in the cabinet. Let my hand be cut off should I vote in favour of releasing terrorists. We support the peace process, but no country in the world would agree to release murderers as a gift." |
| Danny Danon, deputy defence minister and chairman of the central committee of Likud, Netanyahu's party, said he opposed "a crazy release of dozens of terrorists with the blood of hundreds of Israelis on their hands. All the more so since the release would represent a reward to the Palestinians just for agreeing to sit with us around the negotiating table." | Danny Danon, deputy defence minister and chairman of the central committee of Likud, Netanyahu's party, said he opposed "a crazy release of dozens of terrorists with the blood of hundreds of Israelis on their hands. All the more so since the release would represent a reward to the Palestinians just for agreeing to sit with us around the negotiating table." |
| The transport minister, Yisrael Katz, said before the meeting he would vote against. "I am against releasing murderous terrorists. It hurts the bereaved families and encourages terror." | The transport minister, Yisrael Katz, said before the meeting he would vote against. "I am against releasing murderous terrorists. It hurts the bereaved families and encourages terror." |
| Dozens of protesters demonstrated outside the prime minister's office, where the cabinet meeting was taking place, some carrying posters of bloodied handprints. The Israeli media has carried emotional articles from bereaved relatives in recent days, calling for the move to be blocked. | Dozens of protesters demonstrated outside the prime minister's office, where the cabinet meeting was taking place, some carrying posters of bloodied handprints. The Israeli media has carried emotional articles from bereaved relatives in recent days, calling for the move to be blocked. |
| Other cabinet members backed Netanyahu. "It is not a happy day, but we need to do what is right for Israel and for the peace process," said the finance minister, Yair Lapid. | Other cabinet members backed Netanyahu. "It is not a happy day, but we need to do what is right for Israel and for the peace process," said the finance minister, Yair Lapid. |
| The defence minister, Moshe Ya'alon, said he would vote for the measure with a heavy heart. | The defence minister, Moshe Ya'alon, said he would vote for the measure with a heavy heart. |
| Details of the planned release have not been formally disclosed, but it is expected to include 104 prisoners, to be released in four stages spanning nine months. The first release is expected just before Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan next week. | Details of the planned release have not been formally disclosed, but it is expected to include 104 prisoners, to be released in four stages spanning nine months. The first release is expected just before Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan next week. |
| The prisoner issue is highly emotive among Palestinian families. The release of long-term prisoners is likely to warm public attitudes towards renewed talks. | The prisoner issue is highly emotive among Palestinian families. The release of long-term prisoners is likely to warm public attitudes towards renewed talks. |
| Netanyahu is likely to be acting under heavy pressure from the US secretary of state, John Kerry, who has invested four months of intensive diplomacy to get preliminary talks under way. Discussions in Washington between negotiators from both sides will be the first talks for almost three years. | Netanyahu is likely to be acting under heavy pressure from the US secretary of state, John Kerry, who has invested four months of intensive diplomacy to get preliminary talks under way. Discussions in Washington between negotiators from both sides will be the first talks for almost three years. |
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