It would appear that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has no red lines, and he is willing to do whatever necessary to secure a deal with one of Israel’s enemies in the hope of recording his name in the annals of history showing something other than corruption and incompetence.

In the latest chapter of Olmert’s irresponsible policies, in his meeting with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) he has announced a willingness to release additional terrorists in another ‘good-will’ gesture as Abu Mazen sits back and does nothing.

Worst of all, with each passing day, Gilad Shalit has a greater chance of sharing a fate similar to Ron Arad, who was taken captive in 1986.

Included in the next release are murderers whom have been imprisoned since before the signing of Oslo in 1993. It appears the over 400 terrorists released less than a year ago in a major ‘good-will’ gesture to the PA was not sufficient. In the meantime, Shalit remains somewhere in Gaza and all of Olmert’s promises seem to have gone the way of other government assurances.

There are 380 terrorists imprisoned since before the Oslo signing, including 46 serving life sentences. Most of them are affiliated with Fatah, Abu Mazen’s party.

Abu Mazen requested the release of two terrorists specifically, including Sa’id el-Atabah, 57, who has been under lock and key since 1977. He was in command of the terror cell which placed bombs under two buses in the Petach Tikvah shuk and shuk HaCarmel, killing 33.

Also on the list are Fatah Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti, who is serving 5 life sentences for his murderous acts, and Ahmed Sa’adat, responsible for the planning of the assassination of Israeli Minister of Tourism Rechavam Ze’evi.

“I do not understand this move” stated Noam Shalit on Wednesday. “Hundreds of prisoners have been released and this has done nothing towards obtaining the release of Gilad. I think many more Palestinians should be released but only after Gilad is home. Abu Mazen’s position may improve with the release of prisoners but Gilad’s position will not improve an iota”.

“It is not acceptable that they hold an Israeli soldier and we continue to release prisoners. The Palestinians must understand that for as long as they hold a soldier, we will not release prisoners,” added Mr. Shalit.

While Olmert and others continue to blind Israelis with phraseology of peace and security, borrowing the terms from Shimon Peres and the other Oslo supporters, Israelis are still prohibited from entering PA autonomous areas for fear of their lives, in addition to being placed under arrest by Israel Police. This does not make too good an argument for the dual existence dreams of Oslo.

Olmert explains the release of additional prisoners in compliance to Abu Mazen’s request will increase the pressure on Hamas.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)