Special report: Internal situation in Palestine 

Palestinans hold photos of their relatives during a protest calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails in Gaza, Nov. 19, 2007.  (Xinhua Photo)

    JERUSALEM, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli cabinet on Monday approved the release of some 441 Palestinian prisoners incarcerated in Israel, the daily Ha'aretz reported on its website.

    The release is expected to take place before the upcoming U.S.-host Middle East peace summit expected to be held next week in Annapolis, Maryland.

    The move is seen as a gesture of goodwill to follow recent demands by Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to free some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners before the Annapolis summit, said the report.

    The list of the prisoners to be released was compiled by an Israeli inter-ministerial committee, consisting of Fatah affiliates, none of whom are convicted of murdering Jews. Before the vote, coalition members from Shas and Israel Beiteinu parties voiced their opposition to the government move, according to Ha'aretz.

    Some 9,800 Palestinian prisoners are currently incarcerated in Israeli prisons.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (C) and Salam Fayyad (6th L), appointed prime minister by Abbas, attend a cabinet meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah Nov. 19, 2007. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert asked his cabinet on Monday to release up to 450 Palestinian prisoners ahead of talks.  (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Erekat: Abbas, Olmert to meet to try to bridge gaps

    RAMALLAH, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert will meet late Monday to bridge gaps between the two sides as a U.S.-hosted peace conference is approaching, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said. The two sides have not yet agreed on a joint document to be presented to the peace meeting due in Annapolis, the United Statesat the end of this month, Erekat said, adding that the differences involve "terms and concepts."  Full story

Israeli PM promises to uproot outposts, freeze settlement construction

Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (C) arrives to a weekly cabinet meeting in his office in Jerusalem Nov. 19, 2007. Olmert sought to win wide Arab participation in a U.S.-led peace conference by reaffirming on Monday a pledge not to build new Jewish settlements and to uproot smaller outposts.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

    JERUSALEM, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Monday that Israel will freeze all construction projects in the West Bank and evacuate illegal outposts in the area.

    Olmert made the remarks at a weekly cabinet meeting, which was held on Monday this week rather than on Sunday, local daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported on its website. Full story

Israeli PM says real negotiations after Annapolis meeting 

    JERUSALEM, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Monday that real negotiations will be held after a high profile international conference on Middle East peace due in Annapolis, the United State, local daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported.

    Olmert made the remarks at the start of a weekly cabinet meeting, just before the cabinet was set to approve the release of some 450 Palestinian prisoners and several hours before a meeting between Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, according to the report. Full story

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