Israel Begins Prisoner Release Process

Israel Begins Prisoner Release Process

Israel's president has begun the process of formally pardoning the first 477 Palestinian prisoners who will be released in exchange for captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit.

Shimon Peres is reportedly adding his own personal note to each case file that says, despite the pardon, Israel will not "forgive or forget".

The names of the prisoners, the first batch of the 1,027 who will be freed, were officially announced by Israel several days after Hamas posted the list online.

They include several prisoners serving multiple life sentences for involvement in deadly attacks on Israel.

Petition

Among them, Ahlam Tamimi, a Palestinian woman who helped plan a suicide bombing at a pizza restaurant in Jerusalem and drove the bomber to carry out the attack.

Fifteen people were killed in the bombing in 2001, including 15-year-old Malki Roth, whose father, Arnold, is horrified at Tamimi's imminent release.

Arnold Roth said Tamimi was once asked in an interview if she knew how many children she had killed.

"When told the number was eight, she smiled," he said.

He has launched a petition to try to prevent her release.

Threat to Israel.

Families of other victims have also lodged petitions in Israel's High Court, to challenge the release of prisoners involved in the death of their loved ones.

In previous prisoner exchange deals the appeals have been swiftly dismissed.

The release of the Palestinian prisoners is due to start on Tuesday, with Gilad Shalit freed from Gaza the same day.

The Israeli soldier was captured by Palestinian militants in a cross border raid in June 2006.

At least 40 of the Palestinian prisoners to be freed will be deported and forbidden from returning to the West Bank or Gaza because they are considered to pose an ongoing threat to Israel.

Skynews/Hajia Sani