» 10/17/2011 14:14 ISRAEL – PALESTINE Controversy continues in Israel as Gilad Shalit and 477 Palestinian prisoners are free tomorrow
Israel’s High Court of Justice is vetting four petitions submitted by victims of terror attacks in Israel; however, it is not likely to overturn the cabinet’s decision. President Peres commutes sentences, but “neither forgets nor forgives”. The overall deal involves the release of 1,027 prisoners held in Israeli prisons.
Jerusalem (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Israel is preparing to release 477 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Gilad Shalit, a Franco-Israeli soldier captured on 25 June 2006 by a Palestinian commando that raided the Israel-Gaza border. Some 2,500 journalists, many from abroad, are expected for the event. Altogether, 1,027 prisoners will be freed; according to the latest reports, many will go to three countries in the region, namely Turkey, Syria and Qatar. Others will go to Gaza or the West Bank. Unless some last minute problem should arise, Shalit will be the first Israeli soldier captured or missing in action that returns home alive.
Israel’s High Court of Justice ruled on Sunday that it would hear a petition today against the release of 1,027 Palestinian prisoners involved in the exchange deal. Sources in both the defence establishment and the state prosecution said they were confident that the court would reject all the petitions.
The release of the first group of 477 prisoners, whose names were published Sunday, is expected on Tuesday at the same time that Hamas hands over Shalit. The list includes 450 males and 27 females.
Almagor, an association representing terror victims, filed the first petition last week. It is seeking a 48-hour delay in the prisoners' release, saying there has not been enough time to review thoroughly all the 477 names on the list, which is necessary to allow people to decide whether to petition against the deal. Three other petitions were also filed on Sunday.
Some of the people on the list received multiple life sentences for their role in terror attacks. However, the court in its history has never overturned a cabinet decision to release prisoners.
In Israel, the prisoners swap has generated a heated debate.
President Shimon Peres said the deal would go ahead according to the agreed timetable. “Today is a very special day," he told reporters, adding, “These are not only long days, but very sensitive days”.
“We're all very excited,” he said because “this is a onetime event with a lot of hope, but a lot of trepidation.”
Israel’s president must sign the release papers. Staff members in the legal department of the president's bureau have been burning the midnight oil to prepare the necessary paperwork. The prisoners are not being pardoned. Instead, their sentences are being commuted.
In addition, Peres has decided to attach a statement to each commutation stating that he neither forgets nor forgives, but that each sentence was commuted for a specific reason.
The prisoners will not receive their release papers until Shalit is out of Gaza.
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