Israeli cabinet OKs more jailed Palestinians’ release

By: Ahmad Hammadi

JERUSALEM: The Israeli government on Sunday has approved a proposal by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to free about 100 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, Israel political sources and radio said.

The move came ahead of Sharon's trip to Washington this week during which he is scheduled to hold talks with US President George W Bush on Tuesday.

According to the radio fourteen ministers voted in favor of releasing members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad while the move was opposed by nine. Far-right ministers and hardliners from Sharon's own Likud party were in opposition to the measure.

Meanwhile, Palestinians holding portraits and pictures of their jailed relatives staged a protest in the West Bank city of Hebron on Sunday.

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