Israel frees Palestinians as Kerry ready for peace bid

Israel freed 26 Palestinian prisoners yesterday, days before US secretary of state John Kerry was due back in the Middle East to press the two sides to reach a framework peace deal.

Israel agreed to release a total of 104 Palestinian prisoners as part of a US-brokered package that in July revived peace talks after a three-year break. Yesterday’s release was the third of four groups to go free.

On Friday, an Israeli official said plans would be announced after the release to build 1,400 homes forIsraeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, territory Palestinians seek for a state along with the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.

Jailed before or just after the first Israeli-Palestinian interim peace accord was signed 20 years ago, the inmates boarded buses for home outside Ofer prison in the West Bank as Israelis protested in East Jerusalem against the amnesty.

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas greeted the men at his headquarters in Ramallah. “We promise you this will not be the last time and there will be more groups of heroes coming to us frequently in the near future, God willing.”

Three of the prisoners were sent to the Gaza Strip, which is under the rule of Abbas’ rival, the Islamist group Hamas. It rejects peace talks with Israel.

“The heroes are back,” hundreds chanted as they carried the men through the enclave’s streets.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised Palestinians celebrations, saying: “Murderers are not heroes. That is not the way to make peace.”

Jamal Abu Musin, convicted in Israel on murder charges and freed yesterday, said: “The message of prisoners is that people will not forget them, they hope to be released and they live with hope.”

Hours before the release dozens of Israelis marched toward the East Jerusalem home of one of the prisoners, carrying black umbrellas and holding pictures of those killed or wounded in attacks.