Special report: Israel-Palestine conflicts

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (R) shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. A long-awaited summit between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian National Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas ended Saturday night at Olmert's residence in Jerusalem, Dec. 23, 2006. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    JERUSALEM, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Sunday said at the weekly cabinet meeting that Israel may release some Palestinian prisoners next week, Israeli daily Ha'aretz report on its website.

    According to Ha'aretz, Olmert at the meeting consulted cabinet ministers about their position on a new Palestinian request for the release of Palestinian prisoners by next week.

    He told the ministers that at their Saturday meeting Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas had asked for an Israeli goodwill gesture ahead of the Eid al-Adha, the Muslim holiday.

    In response to Olmert's consultation, three cabinet ministers expressed their backing to his proposal.

    Vice Premier Shimon Peres said he sees no reason why a gesture should not be made to Abbas in order to support the moderates in the PNA.

    Defense Minister Amir Peretz also said there is room for such a move before release of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier abducted on June 25 by Palestinian militants.

    Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz also voiced support to Abbas, saying that the proposal should be considered. Israel previously insisted that the Palestinian prisoners will not be released until returning of Gilad Shalit.

    However, Olmert's proposal this time is seen as a goodwill gesture to boost support to Abbas among the Palestinian people.

    Meanwhile, another Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth quoted Olmert as saying that it is time to display flexibility and generosity in the matter of releasing prisoners.

    "This opinion may be different than opinions expressed in previous cabinet meetings, but this is my opinion," Olmert said.

    Related:

    Israeli officials' responses differ on Olmert-Abbas summit

    JERUSALEM, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli cabinet on Sunday unanimously approved the release of part of withheld Palestinian funds, but various views were voiced during the cabinet meeting regarding Saturday's Olmert-Abbas summit.

    Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert held a two-hour meeting in his residence in Jerusalem on Saturday evening with Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. Full story>>>

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