Ahead of Abbas-Sharon summit; Israel rejects releasing Palestinian detainees

Israeli deputy Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, said on Thursday that Israel will not respond to the Palestinian demands of releasing Palestinian detainees who were “convicted” of killing Israelis in the course of the conflict.

“I don’t think that Abbas expects us to release prisoners with blood on their hands”, Olmert said, “Israel will consider measures to ease the life of Palestinians residents without endangering its security”.

The statements of Olmert came in an interview with the Israeli Radio as he was commenting on the scheduled Sharon-Abbas Tuesday summit.

Yet, Palestinian officials stated that the issue of Palestinian detainees in Israeli detention facilities will be discussed during the Abbas-Sharon summit on Tuesday.

Also, Olmert claimed that Israel is considering measures which could ease the lives of the Palestinian residents, and alleviate their conditions, but without endangering the Israeli security, according to Mofaz.

Also, Olmert expressed strong Israeli objection to the participation of Hamas in the upcoming legislative elections. 

“Israel cannot accept elections which will give legitimacy for an organization that conducts ‘terrorist acts’”, Olmert said, “We can’t accept this; Hamas can never be part of a democratic process”.

Egypt suggested that the Palestinians should postpone the legislative elections, taking in consideration the weakening power of Abbas, Israeli online daily Haaretz reported.

Egyptian officials held unofficial talks recently with Palestinian counterparts in order to delay the elections.

“If Hamas wins the third round of the local elections on December 7, Egypt will suggest delaying the legislative elections”, Haaretz added.

A Jordanian source reported on Wednesday that “following the good efforts of King Abdullah”, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, and the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, will meet October 11, to find a solution for the pending problems.

King Abdullah said that the location of the summit is up to Sharon and Abbas.

P.A sources reported that Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat will meet with senior Sharon aide Dov Weisglass on Sunday to discuss the summit agenda.