MKs Reject U.S. Request to Release Terrorists

YERUSHALAYIM

An American request that Israel release terrorists as a goodwill gesture to the Palestinians was roundly rejected by some MK’s in the ruling coalition on Wednesday, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Deputy Minister Ofir Akunis (Likud-Beiteinu) said flatly that the government is against any such action, and called for a return to peace talks without pre-conditions.

Knesset MK Orit Struk (Jewish Home) said, “the demand is shocking, not just because the peace talks must begin without preconditions, and not just because of the danger that these terrorists will return to terrorist activity once they are released, but because the release of terrorists is an energizing shot of encouragement to terror and terrorists.”

“Every release like this,” she continued, “causes potential terrorists to make the decision to become one, because they see that they will be given support.”

Struk added, “is the America that is asking Israel to release terrorists the same America that has carried the flag in the struggle against terrorism and who recently experienced the hands of terror in their [own] house?!”

However, no final decision was taken. The Knesset agreed that the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee should study the matter more closely.

Among the terrorists that the U.S. wants released, are those who burned Amnon Pomerantz alive in his car in 1990, the terrorists who murdered tractor driver Yigal Vahknin in 1993, the terrorist who murdered 39-year-old Gush Katif resident Shaya Deutch in 1993, the terrorists who burned to their deaths Rachel Weiss and her three children; Ephraim, Netanel and Raphael as well as soldier David Delarosa who tried to save them and the terrorist who murdered Professor Menachem Stern in Yerushalayim.

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