Israel frees another 429 prisoners

TEARFUL friends and relatives, some cheering or waving flags, welcomed 429 Palestinian prisoners after their early release by Israel yesterday in a gesture meant to strengthen moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

“There’s nothing better than freedom,” said Salem al-Sakka after he reached Gaza and kissed his mother. Al-Sakka had served four years of an 11-year term, and said Abbas must do everything he can to win the release of the thousands still imprisoned by Israel.

Most of the prisoners were dropped off at Abbas’ headquarters in the West Bank town of Ramallah. Uncharacteristically, Abbas wasn’t present for the celebrations, visiting Jordan instead as part of a tour of the Arab world following last week’s US-hosted Mideast conference in Annapolis, Maryland.

At the conference, Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert pledged to try to reach a peace deal.

As buses carrying the prisoners rolled into Abbas’ walled compound, relatives jumped up to kiss them. Some prisoners climbed out of windows, impatient to greet their families.

Tearful reunions played out again and again.

Abdel Raouf Injas, 52, was waiting for his 31-year-old son Khaled, whose 12-year sentence was cut in half. Injas said he wanted to get Khaled married as quickly as possible, and said his son planned to study for a Master’s degree at a West Bank university.

Israel is holding about 9,000 prisoners. Their freedom is a central Palestinian demand, and yesterday’s release — the third since July — was intended to strengthen Abbas in his struggle against Hamas rivals who control the Gaza Strip by showing Palestinians that moderation pays.

The vast majority of the freed prisoners were supporters of Abbas’ Fatah movement.