Israel frees jailed Palestinians
"Israel has released 198 Palestinian prisoners in what it calls a goodwill gesture to bolster Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. They include two convicted killers of Israelis who have been in detention since 1977 and 1979 and who are among the longest-serving inmates."
As seen in Northern Ireland, If a meaningful and lasting peace is to ever be achieved in a trouble zone like this then these are the kind of painful concessions that are necessary from both sides. In a protracted and complex geographical conflict like Palestine-Israel both sides need to let go of the goal of a crushing and absolute victory and accept that meaningful peace will only come through compromise because neither side is going to be leaving to go elsewhere. I can imagine how difficult this release is to stomach for many Israelis - we here in Ireland had to see much maligned killers from either side walk free - but it is a step forward, let's just hope it is not followed by two steps back (from either side).
"Israel has released 198 Palestinian prisoners in what it calls a goodwill gesture to bolster Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. They include two convicted killers of Israelis who have been in detention since 1977 and 1979 and who are among the longest-serving inmates."
As seen in Northern Ireland, If a meaningful and lasting peace is to ever be achieved in a trouble zone like this then these are the kind of painful concessions that are necessary from both sides. In a protracted and complex geographical conflict like Palestine-Israel both sides need to let go of the goal of a crushing and absolute victory and accept that meaningful peace will only come through compromise because neither side is going to be leaving to go elsewhere. I can imagine how difficult this release is to stomach for many Israelis - we here in Ireland had to see much maligned killers from either side walk free - but it is a step forward, let's just hope it is not followed by two steps back (from either side).