On August 18, 2008, Israel announced they would be releasing almost 200 Palestinian inmates as a goodwill gesture to Mahmoud Abbas, the president of Palestine.The Guardian: Israel to Free Longest Term Palestinian Prisoners (August 19, 2008)
Muhammad Abu Ali is one of the prisoners scheduled to be released. He was jailed in 1980 for killing an Israeli settler in the West Bank. Abu Ali was also later convicted of killing a Palestinian in jail. Abu Ali also serves as an MP from Abbas's Fatah party.The Guardian: Israel to Free Longest Term Palestinian Prisoners (August 19, 2008)
The prisoners are scheduled for release on August 25, 2008.Reuters UK: Israel Publishes List... (August 18, 2008)
Why Are the Prisoners Being Released?
- Israeli government officials are releasing the prisoners with the goal of increasing popular support for Palestine President, Mahmoud Abbas and to demonstrate to Palestinians that dialogue can achieve results.Reuters UK: Israel Publishes List... (August 18, 2008)
References
Fast Facts
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Full name is Mohammad 'Abu Ali' YattaPNN: List of 200 Names (August 18, 2008)
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Despite his prison sentence, Abu Ali was elected to the Palestinian parliament in 2006Reuters UK: Israel Publishes List... (August 18, 2008)
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The list of the names of the prisoner to be released was published in Hebrewon August 18, 2008 following an Israeli government meetingPNN: List of 200 Names (August 18, 2008)
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Abu Ali is the second biggest name on the list after Said al-AtbaPNN: List of 200 Names (August 18, 2008)
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