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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Israel Agrees to Free Palestinian Funds
2006-12-24
Dumb, dumb, dumb. You're just delaying the only thing that will bring the Paleos to their senses.
JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel agreed Saturday to release $100 million in frozen funds to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and ease West Bank travel restrictions - goodwill gestures that revived hopes for a resumption of peace talks after years of hostility and distrust.

Olmert and Abbas failed to agree on a key issue - a prisoner swap - but decided to set up a committee to study it further.
Instead of burying the issue in committee, why not bury the Paleo prisoners?
The issue is not fully in Abbas' hands. Olmert has said he will not free Palestinians without the release of an Israeli soldier being held by militants allied with the Islamic group Hamas, which controls the Palestinian government and is a rival of Abbas' Fatah party.

Erekat and Olmert spokeswoman Miri Eisin said the Israeli leader agreed to transfer $100 million in frozen tax rebates and other Palestinian funds to Abbas' control, giving the Palestinian leader an important achievement. Eisin said Israel plans to transfer the money soon, but that it wants to make sure the funds do not reach Hamas, which has refused Western demands to recognize Israel and end violence.

In addition, Israel will transfer about $7.25 million to Palestinian-run hospitals in Jerusalem, Erekat said.
Posted by:Steve White

#8  If anyone should know appeasement and negotiation doesn't work with mooslims its Israel.

End of story. I can only imagine that Olmert is trying to strengthen Abbas against further Hamas onslaughts. What has obviously escaped Olmert's notice is that Israel is supposed to be killing both sides with equal abandon, even as Fatah and Hamas continue to off each other.
Posted by: Zenster   2006-12-24 15:27  

#7  ISRAEL = RHODESIA, got it?
Posted by: fever   2006-12-24 12:58  

#6  "And that was the real deal in Jerusalem last night. Olmert and Abbas cooperated to produce the pictures demanded by their sponsors"
There you have it. More fine work by Bush, Rice and the beauros at State dept. Britain also is perfectly willing to sacrifice Israel without batting an eye. So they probably added pressure too.
Posted by: SpecOp35   2006-12-24 11:58  

#5  For any squeeze play to work there has to be an eventual double-down bet. Appears the dice have been rolled. Pay off or Bust? The answer to that question should be apparent sooner then later.
Posted by: DepotGuy   2006-12-24 10:49  

#4  $100 million in frozen funds.

Let's see, on today's Chinese weapons market that equates to, with cash discount... something on the magnitude of 300,000 Kalashnakovs and several million rounds of 7.62x39 ammo. Might be able to throw in a few metric tones of Semtex and detonators as well.
Posted by: Besoeker   2006-12-24 08:34  

#3  Amazing. If anyone should know appeasement and negotiation doesn't work with mooslims its Israel. Why is this happening?

Furthermore, seeing as how Israel is probably the most hated country in the world/UN what do they have to lose by really finishing the pally problem. Cut off essential services. Close the border. Respond in kind to acts of war. Like the UN or the outside world would do anything? They can't decide to act on Iran or Africa. They would never get around to dealing with a vengeful Israel problem.

Man I wonder what Israel government knows that I don't. There must be something causing this silliness.
Posted by: jds   2006-12-24 08:19  

#2  Why has the Jewish state suddenly developed a death wish?
Posted by: mac   2006-12-24 06:18  

#1  Analysis: Posing for Bush and Blair
By ANSHEL PFEFFER (JLem Post)
Posted by: gromgoru   2006-12-24 05:07  

00:00