JERUSALEM (EJP)—Israel said it will not release a fourth group of Palestinian prisoners convicted for terror acts against Israelis because of the Palestinian Authority’s decision to apply for admission to 15 international treaties and conventions.
Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni made the announcement during a meeting with the chief PLO negotiator, Saeb Erekat in Jerusalem.
Livni said the Palestinians’ unilateral application to UN conventions and treaties came at a time when they knew full well that Israel was working in a coordinated and genuine fashion to reach an agreement that would have led to the release of the Palestinian prisoners.
Since the agreement to release them was dependent on the Palestinians upholding their commitment not to turn to international organizations, “under these conditions Israel cannot release the fourth batch of prisoners,” Livni said.
Both sides, she said, now have to consider how to move forward in the negotiations.
Earlier this week, US Secretary of State John Kerry canceled a trip to Ramallah for a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas after the latter signed documents applying for admission into 15 UN treaties and conventions.
Kerry was to have presented a deal under which the US would have free Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard, Israel would have release the 26 Palestinians convicted of terrorist acts before the 1993 Oslo Accords, plus another 400 Palestinian prisoners “without blood on their hands,” in exchange for a continuation of talks for another nine months and a Palestinian commitment not to apply to international organizations.
Under the deal, Israel would curb construction beyond the Green Line.
On a visit to Algeria, John Kerry said the US remains committed to the peace process, but cannot force through an agreement.
“The parties met even last night and they are continuing to have their discussions. We will continue, no matter what, to try to facilitate the capacity of people to be able to make peace,” he said.
“But in the end, you can push, you can nudge, but the parties themselves have to make fundamental decisions and compromises. The leaders have to lead, and they have to be able to see a moment when it’s there. There is an old saying, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.” Now’s the time to drink, and the leaders need to know that,” Kerry said.