Jerusalem
Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas pulled out of a planned meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon this week after a disagreement over prisoner releases. Israel said it would free several hundred Palestinian prisoners, but the Palestinians want amnesty for all 6,000. The “road map” peace plan that the two sides are supposed to be pursuing does not require Israel to release prisoners, but the issue has become a major sticking point. Talks also broke down over the fate of 17 militants holed up with Yassir Arafat at his West Bank compound. Israel indicated it would lift the siege on Arafat if he transferred the men, who are suspected of terrorism, to a Palestinian-run prison. But the men refused to go.
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