Israel Nixes Quick Release of Palestinians

Deseret News (Salt Lake City) › December 30, 2006

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Summary

JERUSALEM -- Israel rejected Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' request for a quick release of prisoners to bolster nascent peace moves, saying Friday that Palestinian militants must first free a captured Israeli soldier.

The decision was a setback for the moderate Palestinian leader as he jockeyed with the radical Islamic Hamas group for popular support in the increasingly turbulent West Bank and Gaza. Abbas had hoped Israeli concessions would strengthen his argument that talks -- not violence -- are the Palestinians' best hope for achieving a state.

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Israel Nixes Quick Release of Palestinians

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, himself fighting low approval ratings, has sought in recent weeks to re-energize his government with a push to revive long-stalled peace efforts with the Palestini...

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