250 Palestinian prisoners set to be released

Israel’s cabinet agreed yesterday to release 250 Palestinian prisoners in the latest attempt to strengthen Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after Hamas’s seizure of the Gaza Strip. “I think this is a worthy gesture to make … because we want to use any means that can reinforce moderate elements in the Palestinian Authority,” Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the cabinet in broadcast remarks. Olmert had pledged to free prisoners of Abbas’s Fatah movement in a June 25 summit with the Palestinian leader as part of a Western campaign to bolster the new administration he named after sacking a unity government, headed by Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
Saeb Erakat, a senior aide to Abbas, welcomed the Israeli decision but urged it to draw up the list of those to be freed in co-ordination with the Palestinians. “The prisoner issue needs more than gestures to be resolved, however, we welcome the release of prisoners any time,” he said. Officials estimate there are at least 10,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

 An official in Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad’s office disclosed that new Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak held talks with the Western-backed economist last week to discuss who would be eligible for release. Fayyad, the official said, pushed for “political prisoners” to be freed.
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said release of only Fatah-affiliated prisoners was part of an attempt by Abbas to “reinforce the principle of separation” with Hamas.

The US and European Union have been prodding Olmert to nurture contacts with Abbas’s emergency government in the hope of resuming long-stalled peace talks.

Bomb plot sparks attacks on Muslims in UK

Muslims in Bristol have been racially abused and assaulted following the attempted terrorist attacks in London and Glasgow.The Bristol Muslim Cultural Society (BMCS) has reported several incidents – the latest of which occurred on Wednesday night when two people were arrested outside a mosque in St Jude’s on suspicion of racially-aggravated offences.

BMCS director Farooq Siddique said: “People were arrested outside for shouting verbal abuse.

“People have had their hijabs ripped and there have been verbal and physical acts against women.“There have been three or four incidents reported through the Hate Crime Unit but our concern is that not enough people are reporting it. They just say it’s the times we live in.”

Police spokesman Wayne Baker confirmed that a man and woman were arrested outside the mosque on Wade Street.

The 19-year-old woman was released on police bail pending further inquiries while the man is still being questioned by police officers.

Despite the backlash against Muslims in Bristol, Mr Siddique says he is more confident in the new Government for its handling of the attempted terrorist attacks in London and Glasgow.

He said: “We are pleased that the current Government has not taken political capital out of this like the previous Government did.

“The battle for hearts and minds is crucial.

“The Muslim community must not be seen as part of the problem – but part of the solution. The words from the Government this time around have been far more considered and that is certainly something that gives people hope.”

His views are shared by Councillor Abdul Malik who, although a Liberal Democrat, also believes that under Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Britain is heading in a better direction for Muslims.

Mr Malik has hailed the Labour Government for its calm yet determined response to last weekend’s incidents that saw a burning car drive into Glasgow Airport and two bombs found in London.

He said: “The Muslim community is the first to criticise Government and the media, so it is important to encourage them when they are doing a good job.

“Gordon Brown wants to do this differently and it has given the chance for the Muslim communities to say ‘This is a crime and it’s going to affect all of us – the same as an English white person.

“There has definitely been a more balanced approach and a lot more refreshing style. It is most welcome in the communities.

“This new threat of terrorism is a lot different than in the past, when two years ago we were told it was British-born, disillusioned Muslims.

“Now we have seen young professional doctors who have gone to the NHS and carried out a very un-organised attack, which was a blessing, because we would have been in trouble if it went according to plan.”

Mr Malik says he feels Government must change its stance on certain foreign policies such as Iraq and should be more stringent on who it lets into this country to work.