Early this morning, just after midnight, Israel, as part of an agreement with the Palestinian Authority to return to the negotiating table, released 26 prisoners, most if not all, convicted of murder. The question being asked by most Israelis this morning, “And how does releasing terrorists bring peace?”
Below are videos and photos from the reception they received in Ramallah (11 were sent to Ramallah and 15 to Gaza). Just to be clear, none of these terrorists killed soldiers in an act of war, but all targeted civilians.
PLO member Salam Ali Atia attacked Holocaust survivor Isaac Rotenberg with an ax, killing him. Ra’ai Ibrahim Salam Ali also used an ax when he butchered 79-year-old Moris Eisenstatt while he peacefully sat, unarmed, on a public bench reading a book. Ian Sean Feinberg, who was helping Palestinians grow their economy, was killed by Abdel Aal Sa’id Ouda Yusef.
A released Palestinian prisoner is welcomed as he arrives at the Palestinian Authority headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah (photo credit: Issam Rimawi/Flash90)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, center, waves with the released Palestinian prisoners at his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Wednesday, Aug. 14 , 2013. (photo credit: AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)
Relatives of Atef Sha’ath, one of the freed Palestinian prisoners, celebrate while waiting for his release at the checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Hanoun in Gaza, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013. (photo credit: AP Photo/Adel Hana)
AFP / They celebrate in Ramallah
A person stands next to a banner with hand stamps in red paint during a protest in Tel Aviv against the prisoner release Monday. Many of the prisoners to be released are said to “have blood on their hands.” (photo credit: AP/Tsafrir Abayov)
Palestinian Prisoners going home to celebrate, while their victims remain in the grave.
Reuters/A newly released Palestinian prisoner is greeted by his mother in Gaza, August 14, 2013.
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