15 March 2006
Jericho prison seize part of Israeli election lead-up
The siege of Jericho prison by Israel Defence Forces is a political move in the lead-up to the current Israeli election
says Middle Eastern political expert Dr Nigel Parsons. He says the siege of the Palestinian Authority (PA)prison and the
abduction of Palestinian political prisoners achieves two ends for Ehud Olmert - acting Prime Minister and Ariel
Sharon's political heir-designate.
"First, it sends a clear message to the new Hamas administration about to take charge of the PA that Israel retains the
arbitrary power to act as it pleases in the occupied territories. Second, it allows Olmert to appear tough on security
and boost his poll ratings as election day approaches."
Dr Parsons says high-profile Palestinian prisoners were guarded by United States and British personnel in an arrangement
to "expedite their imprisonment whilst precluding a trial" in Israel. "The decision by US and British prison guards to
abandon their posts and their charges is a breach of commitments signed with the PA. It sends a clear message of bad
faith to the Palestinian people, and will have lasting negative consequences for the operations of both countries in the
West Bank and Gaza."
A lecturer in the School of History, Philosophy and Politics, Dr Parsons recently published The Politics of the
Palestinian Authority: From Oslo to al-Aqsa. He conducted more than a decade's extensive research whilst based at Bir
Zeit University in Ramallah, Palestine, and at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. Dr Parsons conducted over 60
interviews with leading figures in the PLO and the PA, delegates to the negotiations with Israel, and the Palestinian
political opposition.
ENDS