Sharon meets Abbas in next round of talks
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is set to meet with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas today in Jerusalem to help maintain the three-week fragile cease-fire.
The release of Palestinian prisoners is likely to be a prominent issue on Mr Abbas’ agenda.
He faces growing criticism from within his own rank-and-file over Israel’s perceived feet dragging.
As a gesture to speed up the rollout of the US-backed “road map” for peace in the Middle East, Israel is widely expected to boost the number of prisoners set for release, and crucially will include “political” members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
The Palestinian side claims Israel holds some 8,000 men. Israel officials estimate the figure is figure is nearer 6,000.
Controversially, if reports hold true, the Palestinian leader will insist on the release of the alleged assassin behind the murder of Israel’s tourism minister Rechavam Ze’evi.
But Israel is likely to hold back on releasing those Hamas and Islamic Jihad prisoners with “blood on their hands.”
According to Israeli radio, Mr Abbas will demand the release of some 450 prisoners and will urge Israel to allow Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat to move freely.
Israeli, for its part, wants an unequivocal sign that Palestinians are cracking down on militancy.
Both leaders are expected to meet US president George W Bush between July 25 and July 29.
