Itongadol/AJN.- Third group of Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli prison. All 26 Palestinians have been convicted in deadly attacks, have spent between 19, 28 years in prison. In concession from Israel, five are Israeli-Arabs returning to East Jerusalem home
Palestinian security prisoners were released from an Israeli prison and made their way to the West Bank, despite massive protests on the part of bereaved families in Israel and a High Court appeal.
The 26 Palestinian prisoners were released as part of a US brokered peace process and are the third of four such release rounds. Their release was made possible only after a petition by bereaved families was rejected by the High Court.
The three prisoners who were released to Gaza were moved from Ofer Prison to the Erez Crossing. They were met by their families and no official ceremony was held. The five prisoners released to East Jerusalem were transferred to an unspecified location.
PA President Mahmoud Abbas said late Monday night at a ceremony in Ramallah welcoming home the freed prisoners that this was a continuation of even more prisoner releases to come.
"This is day of happiness for our nation, our families and our prisoners, the heroes, who have seen the light of freedom," he said. "We are guaranteeing that this won\’t be the last time that prisoners are freed."
Abbas said that for the prospective fourth release he hoped that sick prisoners would also be freed, and that they would be sent home and not expelled to other places. He also said that he would not tolerate one Palestinian prisoner in an Israeli jail if there was to be a peace agreement.
"There won\’t be a final agreement with Israel until all the prisoners are released."
Abbas also commented on the decision in the Knesset of the possible annexation of the Jordan Valley.
"This is our land, and it will remain that way. This a red line on our part," he said.
Several freed Palestinian terrorists also laid flowers at Yasser Arafat\’s gravesite, and said a short prayer there.