The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) strongly opposes Prime Minister Sharon’s plan to release 170 Palestinian Arab prisoners in a “goodwill gesture” to Egypt and the Palestinian Authority. Most of these prisoners are members of Arafat’s terrorist group Fatah, whose members have committed a substantial proportion of the terrorism against Israelis since the Arab terror war against Israel began in September 2001.

The record of Israeli Arab prisoner releases shows that many of those released soon commit terrorist crimes against Israel again.

ZOA President Morton A. Klein said: “It is a serious mistake to make any concession to the Palestinian Authority in the midst of a continuing terror war against Israelis. This is appeasement, pure and simple. One must also ask if the Palestinian Authority and Egypt are truly committed to ending terrorrism and promoting peace — why would they be requesting the release of terrorists? Shouldn’t they be demanding that all Arab terrorists are punished and remain in prison, with a promise to capture, arrest and imprison the rest of the terrorists, as well?”

It is also noteworthy that Palestinian Arab leaders have dismissed this prisoner release as “cosmetic.” They clearly don’t view this as a “goodwill gesture” but only as further evidence of weakness and demoralization of the Israeli leadership.