Olmert To Free Palestinians in Peace Talks Overture
PARIS — An Israeli government official says Prime Minister Olmert has agreed to release an unspecified number of Palestinian Arab prisoners.
GPO, Avi Ohayon, HO/AP
President Sarkozy of France welcomes Prime Minister Olmert and the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, to the Elysee Palace at Paris today.
The move is intended as an overture to the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, as the two sides try to move ahead on peace talks.
An Israeli government spokesman, Mark Regev, said that in a meeting between the two men in Paris today, Mr. Abbas brought up the issue of the thousands of Palestinian Arab prisoners in Israeli jails.
Mr. Regev says Mr. Olmert "agreed in principle" to such a release as a "gesture" to Mr. Abbas.
Because so many Palestinian Arab families have members in Israeli jails, the issue is of prime importance for the Palestinian Arab people.
