Israel: Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon yesterday ruled out the release of more Palestinian prisoners until the Palestinian Authority moved against militants, hardening his line towards president Mahmoud Abbas.
Palestinian officials accused Israel of acting in bad faith by suspending the implementation of confidence-building measures reached at a February 8th ceasefire summit that revived hopes of a Middle East peace process after 4½ years of bloodshed.
Israel freed 500 jailed Palestinians on February 21st as part of a pledge to release 900 prisoners in a goodwill gesture towards the moderate Mr Abbas after the summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
A senior Israeli government official said Mr Sharon set new conditions for freeing prisoners, telling his cabinet on Sunday: "Let it be clear, there will be no prisoner release before steps are taken against terror."
Mr Sharon, using Mr Abbas's popular name, was quoted by the official as saying: "Everyone asks me to strengthen Abu Mazen, but I tell them, not at the expense of Israeli lives."
Mr Abbas is under enormous domestic pressure to secure freedom for 8,000 prisoners. The issue is among the most emotive for ordinary Palestinians, many of whom have relatives in Israeli jails and see their release as a sign of goodwill.
