The issue of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails is a national and political one that influences the whole Palestinian nation, which is the result of a long period of struggle for national liberation and independence. No one can deny that the need for large-scale prisoner releases would build confidence in the peace process.

It is only normal to raise this issue as a priority at the negotiation table, especially, with the presence of more than 7000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails; for hundred of whom were imprisoned before Oslo agreement, and 670 were imprisoned during Al-Aqsa Intifada, and more than 20 of them already spent over 20 years of in jails.

As we are witnessing the recent release of some Palestinian prisoners, we are considering this step to be an important start and one of the conditions necessary to build trust between the two parties as well as strengthening the convictions of Palestinian people of the seriousness of the Israeli positions. It is a step that is meant to bolster peace efforts and improve the prospects for a comprehensive peace in the region.

In this occasion of releasing the prisoners, we are emphasizing the right of the remaining prisoners to be included in the next step as a priority at the negotiation process. This matter has to be the basic matter on the Palestinian negotiator's agenda. It is important to work on improving the conditions of the lists that the Israeli side will agree upon, as the Israeli conditions for releasing Palestinian detainees will never serve the peace process. The lists should not only include the prisoners whose sentencing period is expiring. We are, also, stressing the importance of giving women, patients, children, and prisoners who spent an extended period in prison the priority to be released. Moreover, there must be no categorization or distinction between prisoners based on their political affiliation or otherwise.

It is not possible to have genuine peace without the release of those prisoners. It is not fair that such prisoners be imprisoned while their leaders are enjoying freedom and sitting at the negotiation table. Any negotiation process aimed at resolving the conflict must address this basic issue at its root, and ensure the unconditional release of all Palestinian prisoners. We demand the leadership to change their strategies in regards to this issue in order to ensure a fundamental solution of the prisoners' issue: the unconditional release of all Palestinian prisoners.

The release of more than 500 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails is a positive step that requires more steps towards freeing all Palestinian prisoners to be included in future releases.

We strongly emphasize that the prisoners file must not be delayed or only periodically dealt with in any political negotiations or agreements. The prisoners issue is a fundamental issue and any political negotiations or agreements should not be pursued unless they deal with this basic issue and come to a final and complete resolution.

It is important to remember that Palestinian prisoners are the pioneers in defending Palestinian national interests, and have struggled to realize Palestinian goals, hopes, dreams and desires. All leaders and political parties hold responsibility and must genuinely work towards re-establishing the prisoners issue and to refuse any solutions or agreements that marginalize and divide this issue.

Gaza Community Mental Health Programme