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Source: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1218710398030&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Prisoner Release Does Nothing for Abbas
[Jerusalem Post] Khaled Abu Toameh - It's hard to find one Palestinian who regards Israel's decision to release some 200 Palestinian prisoners as a "goodwill gesture." It's also hard to see how the release of the prisoners would "boost" the popularity of Mahmoud Abbas. The argument that the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails strengthens the "moderates" has never proven to be correct. The best way to strengthen the "moderates" is by putting pressure on them to reform the PA and end financial corruption and lawlessness in the West Bank. Shortly after the signing of the Oslo Accords, Israel freed hundreds of Fatah security prisoners, many of whom soon became involved in various criminal activities ranging from armed robbery and extortion to theft and arms trafficking. They also became a financial burden to the PA, which had to put the local "heroes" on its payroll and pay them salaries, although many of them did no work.