Middle East leaders meet in Sharm el Sheikh, Olmert proposes the release of 250 Fatah prisoners

25 June 2007

Bethlehem – Ma’an – Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, said that he will present a suggestion to his government to release 250 prisoners from the Fatah movement. The announcement was made during his speech at the summit for Middle East leaders in Sharm el Sheikh, in Egypt, on Monday evening.

“We are committed to the establishment of a Palestinian state beside Israel and we must not lose this opportunity for peace,” said Olmert.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordanian King Abdullah II urged support for the “Palestinian legitimacy”, both leaders called for a “serious peace process”, leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state on 1967 borders.

The summit opened with a speech by Mubarak, who expressed the importance of reviving the stagnated peace process.

The Jordanian King appealed for supporting the Palestinians and Israelis in ending the cycle of violence.

“Improved lives for West Bankers”

Olmert also announced that he will continue the supply of electricity, water, food and fuel to the Gaza Strip, upon the request of President Abbas. “We will not punish the Palestinians of Gaza for what Hamas has done,” he said. He added “we will help the emergency government; ease the barriers and release prisoners, in addition to improving the lives of West Bank inhabitants. We will facilitate their movement and they will feel that options other than terror and violence lead to better results.”

Olmert also said “we will try to accelerate the negotiations which will lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state.”

President Abbas urged Olmert and the Israeli people to “not forsake this opportunity for achieving real peace, which will lead to a Palestinian state.” Abbas asserted the commitment of the Palestinian Authority to the peace process and signed agreements with Israel.

Abbas also stressed the necessity of the cessation of settlement expansion and separation wall construction in the West Bank, the release of Palestinian prisoners and the removal of checkpoints.

Mubarak said that it is important to have a dialogue between Palestinians in order to reach a mutual understanding.

King Abdullah II of Jordan said “the dangerous incidents in the strip and the seizure of control by Hamas should motivate us all to move forward in the peace process.” He also urged Israel to release tax revenues and support PA Chairman Abbas.