The cabinet ministers are already releasing statements to protect and preserve their right-wing integrity, speaking out against an additional release of Arab terrorists. This has been the case in the past, and unfortunately the ministers vote to approve the release, albeit with a heavy heart. Even the right-wing Bayit Yehudi community sold out, opting for continued construction in yishuvim in exchange for agreeing to the release of terrorists, the very same terrorists who will chas v’sholom strike out at the residents of those very same communities.

Deputy Foreign Minister Danny recently announced he will not remain in the government is the fourth release is carried out as planned, explaining by now it is clear to all that the PA (Palestinian Authority) is not negotiating in good faith and gives nothing in exchange.

There is also veteran Likud Minister Limor Livnat, who always abides by cabinet discipline and votes for prisoner releases, albeit with a heavy heart.

The latest right-wing statement opposing the release was released on Monday, 22 Adar II by Transportation Minister (Likud) Yisrael Katz, who has reached a realization that the PA is not genuinely interested in peace and Abu Mazen remains unwilling to make any concessions. Katz feels the release of terrorists at this time will “lead to nothing”, begging the question exactly were Israel’s gains in the three previous releases.

However, Katz stated on Monday that “There will not be a fourth terrorist release”. Perhaps Katz, who is close to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, has released the trial balloon to measure the PA (Palestinian Authority) and US responses.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)