Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Monday called on Israel to free all 11,000 Palestinian prisoners in its jails when he received 198 Palestinian prisoners released on Monday morning.
"We tell the prisoners in Israeli jails that the time of your release is coming soon," Abbas told the released prisoners who were received by thousands of Palestinians at al-Muqata'a yard in Ramallah.
Earlier Monday, Israel freed 198 Palestinian prisoners from its jails as a goodwill gesture to Abbas. During his meeting with Abbas two weeks ago, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Abbas that Israel would release 200 prisoners.
The freed prisoners include Sa'eed el-Ataba who spent 32 years in Israeli jails, Abu Ali Yatta who spent 29 years and Husam Khader, a prominent Fatah leader and former legislator.
"I see here 198 heroes. We are happy for their release, but we still have sadness in our hearts because there are 11,000 prisoners still behind the bars of the Israeli jails," Abbas said.
Men and women, relatives of the freed prisoners were dancing and singing while waving President Abbas Fatah movement and Palestinian flags. Huge posters of the two oldest freed prisoners were hung on the walls.
"The name of every prisoner is printed on our hearts, and we are looking forward to seeing also leaders like Marwan al-Barghouti, Ahmed Saadat and Aziz Dweik released," said Abbas.
He also said that "there will be no peace without the release of the prisoners."
Regarding the peace deal with Israel, Abbas said that "We either reach a one-package agreement that includes all the permanent status issues or we won't accept any agreement."
Source: Xinhua
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