August 18, 2008
"Instead of adopting a resolute stance against terrorism, the Kadima-Labor government continues to release hundreds of prisoners in return for nothing,"
—Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu, August 18, 2008
"In an expedited process Israel should now announce an organized plan to release prisoners as part of the diplomatic track with Abbas. The announcement alone and a real move toward implementing such a plan would immediately boost Abbas’ popularity ... Initiating a plan, rather than responding to terrorists demands and strong internal public pressure, would start a process in which each side—Israel, the PA and the international community—assumes responsibility. If we don’t plan the next step ahead of time, we might find ourselves in the same situation again."
—Lt. General (Ret.) Orit Adato, former commissioner of the Israeli Prison Service; first international vice president, International Correction and Prison Association (ICPA), June 26, 2008. Interview with Middle East Bulletin.
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“We knew at the outset that the task would be difficult. We acknowledged that publicly and privately. We knew this would be a road with many bumps— and there have been many bumps—and that continues to this day. But we are not deterred. We are, to the contrary, determined more than ever to proceed to realize the common objective, which we all share, of a Middle East that is at peace with security and prosperity for the people of Israel, for Palestinians, and for all the people in the region. We will continue our efforts in that regard, undeterred and undaunted by the difficulties, the complexities or the bumps in the road.”
—George Mitchell, special envoy for Middle East peace, remarks with Prime Minister Netanyahu, September 29, 2010
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