Israeli official proposes delaying Sharon-Abbas summit

A senior Israeli official proposed Sunday that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon should consider suspending his scheduled June 21 summit with Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, local newspaper Ha'aretz reported.

Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Ze'ev Boim, who often enunciates policy for the Sharon government, made the suggestion in protest of the release of Islamic Jihad prisoners by the PNA over the weekend.

The release "is a return to the well-known Palestinian system of the 'revolving door'," Boim said, adding that the government "must view this with gravity".

"If those who were involved with terrorism in the Stage (bombing) are indeed being released, I would suggest that the prime minister's circle weigh if the meeting between the prime minister and Abu Mazen (Abbas) should be held as scheduled," said Boim.

He added "if this is to be the trend, I would consider postponing the meeting, and I would so recommend to the prime minister."

Over the weekend, the PNA released four Islamic Jihad activists involved in the Feb. 25 suicide bombing at Tel Aviv's Stage nightclub, killing five and wounding another 50.

Israeli media reports indicated that at least three more Jihad prisoners could be released this week, perhaps as early as Sunday.

The Islamic Jihad suspects, who had been held in the Jericho area, were released following an agreement between Abbas and Islamic Jihad leaders in Gaza last week, Palestinian sources said.

The four are not permitted to leave the Jericho area at present.

The suspects were released after a committee formed by Interior Minister Nasser Yousef reviewed their files and decided they had not been involved in the attack, a Palestinian security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was quoted by Ha'aretz as saying.

However, Palestinian sources said the release was not contrary to the understandings with Israel regarding Palestinian suspects.

Source: Xinhua