Palestinian Detainees ‘Could Rebel’ if not Release

Palestinian Detainees ‘Could Rebel’ if not Released

Palestinian detainees could stage a “rebellion” in Israeli jails if Israel does not release them as part of the “roadmap” peace plan, a Palestine National Authority (PNA) cabinet minister said on Wednesday.

The internationally - backed “roadmap” incorporated the issue of Palestinian detainees with reference to “CIA chief George” Tenet plan.

PNA Prisoners Affairs Minister Hisham Abdel-Razek said ordinary Palestinians could revolt if Israel does not free thousands of prisoners, a gesture which Palestinians consider vital to pushing ahead with peace moves.

“An explosion inside Israeli jails will be imminent if Israel adheres to its unilateral decision on releasing prisoners based on unfair and racist criteria and if Israel does not respond to Palestinian demands on prisoners,” he said in a press conference at the PMC Wednesday.

He told the news conference in the West Bank city of Ramallah this could have a “very negative impact” on peace efforts. He also said prisoners would soon start a hunger strike.

Israel’s government on Sunday approved the release of 210 members of Islamic groups, 210 prisoners with links to Fatah movement and 120 people jailed for criminal offences, but they have not been released so far.

Israel has said it will not free any detainees who have been involved in attacks on Israelis during the 34-month-old uprising for an independent Palestinian state.

The would-be releases are intended by what Israel sees as a gesture to boost the standing of Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, under fire from for not securing the release of all 8,000 Palestinians held by Israel, and to bolster a US-backed peace “roadmap.”

The minister said Palestinians were suffering inhumane conditions in the jails of the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), especially women and children.

Human rights groups have accused Israel of mistreating Palestinian prisoners and criticized the policy of administrative detention, under which people can be held without charge for renewable periods.

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