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CNN Sunday Morning
Sharon, Cabinet Discuss Possible Release of Palestinian Prisoners
Aired July 06, 2003 - 09:12 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: In the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met with his cabinet today to discuss the possible release of Palestinian prisoners. The move is the latest in a series of goodwill gestures exchanged in the Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.
Let's get the latest from Jerusalem with CNN correspondent Jerrold Kessel -- Jerrold?
JERROLD KESSEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka.
This issue of the release of Palestinian prisoners rapidly becoming the most contentious between Israelis and Palestinians and probably a big stumbling block on this effort to go down the peace road.
At the Israeli cabinet meeting this morning with Prime Minister Sharon, hearing from the prime minister criteria for which the prisoners will be applied to prisoners who might be released.
Now Israel holds over 6,000 Palestinians prisoners. And the Palestinians are demanding the release of large numbers, if not all of them. The Israelis this morning at that cabinet meeting, there was a very heated debate. This was a very controversial issue in Israel. And the -- eventually, after a second vote, the cabinet approved the criteria presented to the prime minister by the country's internal security services. But these criteria are very tough, indeed. They say that no Palestinian who killed Israelis, no Palestinians belonging to the so-called rejectionist groups, Islamic Jihad, Hamas and the like, will be released in this first stage until peacemaking has gone much further down the road.
So what we're talking about is only a few hundred Palestinians. Now even though the cabinet gave approval, gave the green light for the release in principal of these few hundred who are now being considered, this is likely very possibly will not satisfy the Palestinians.
The Palestinian mood was reflected this morning on the streets of Gaza where there was a sizable demonstration. Now this was clearly a well orchestrated demonstration with a lot of children taking part, but it does express the Palestinian sentiment and the declarations of leaders of the Palestinian authority and of the militant groups that unless there is a major release of prisoners, the cease-fire declared only a week ago, the positive steps taken in the first week down that peace road could really get sidelined and go astray.
That's very much the Palestinian mood being warned to the Israeli leadership. But Mr. Sharon, who last week told the Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, that he understands their concerns about prisoners, is still taking a tough line. So while he may be ready to release some prisoners, it may not be enough for the Palestinians. And we could have a major block on the peace road -- Fredricka?
WHITFIELD: All right, thanks very much. Jerrold Kessel in Jerusalem.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Prisoners>
Aired July 6, 2003 - 09:12 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: In the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met with his cabinet today to discuss the possible release of Palestinian prisoners. The move is the latest in a series of goodwill gestures exchanged in the Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.
Let's get the latest from Jerusalem with CNN correspondent Jerrold Kessel -- Jerrold?
JERROLD KESSEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka.
This issue of the release of Palestinian prisoners rapidly becoming the most contentious between Israelis and Palestinians and probably a big stumbling block on this effort to go down the peace road.
At the Israeli cabinet meeting this morning with Prime Minister Sharon, hearing from the prime minister criteria for which the prisoners will be applied to prisoners who might be released.
Now Israel holds over 6,000 Palestinians prisoners. And the Palestinians are demanding the release of large numbers, if not all of them. The Israelis this morning at that cabinet meeting, there was a very heated debate. This was a very controversial issue in Israel. And the -- eventually, after a second vote, the cabinet approved the criteria presented to the prime minister by the country's internal security services. But these criteria are very tough, indeed. They say that no Palestinian who killed Israelis, no Palestinians belonging to the so-called rejectionist groups, Islamic Jihad, Hamas and the like, will be released in this first stage until peacemaking has gone much further down the road.
So what we're talking about is only a few hundred Palestinians. Now even though the cabinet gave approval, gave the green light for the release in principal of these few hundred who are now being considered, this is likely very possibly will not satisfy the Palestinians.
The Palestinian mood was reflected this morning on the streets of Gaza where there was a sizable demonstration. Now this was clearly a well orchestrated demonstration with a lot of children taking part, but it does express the Palestinian sentiment and the declarations of leaders of the Palestinian authority and of the militant groups that unless there is a major release of prisoners, the cease-fire declared only a week ago, the positive steps taken in the first week down that peace road could really get sidelined and go astray.
That's very much the Palestinian mood being warned to the Israeli leadership. But Mr. Sharon, who last week told the Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, that he understands their concerns about prisoners, is still taking a tough line. So while he may be ready to release some prisoners, it may not be enough for the Palestinians. And we could have a major block on the peace road -- Fredricka?
WHITFIELD: All right, thanks very much. Jerrold Kessel in Jerusalem.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Prisoners>
