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Israeli approves release of 150 Palestinian prisoners

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-17 20:36

JERUSALEM  -- Israeli cabinet has approved the release of between 150 and 220 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday, local media reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaks during a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008. Israel has approved the release of about 200 Palestinian prisoners as a goodwill gesture to the Palestinian government. [Agencies]

The Prime Minister's Office released a statement saying, "This is a gesture and a trust-building move aimed at bolstering the moderates in the Palestinian Authority and the peace process."

The move, proposed by a ministerial committee headed by Vice Premier Haim Ramon, was approved in principle by 16 votes to four. The three ministers from the ultra-Orthodox Shas party and Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz opposed the plan.

The list of prisoners to be release includes two Palestinians classified by Israel as having "blood on their hands," referring to prisoners who participated in terrorist attacks resulting in Israeli fatalities, the Jerusalem Post said.