A recent prisoner release by Israel of Palestinian prisoner has come under scrutiny as a possible prisoner-for-land swap.
Many people are questioning why the release of several Palestinian detainees by Isreal has been done almost in darkness, to avoid any possibly questions raised as to the motivation for the release.
For their part, Palestinians are denying that the swap was done as a concession of more settlement land.
But the questions raised may have some foundation. In addition, a second release of prisoners is scheduled under the new peace talks.
An Israeli official, has become a whistle blower of sorts, when he texted anonymously that such swap had as an unwritten condition that lands would be settled by Isreali, and that such a secret settlement was being done before the US are scheduled to sit down for further talks to settle the Palestinian lands. A pre-emptive move of sorts, to secure what Israel deems a pivotal plot of land, is the suspicion settling on many people's minds.
Israeli politicians however, are denying just as swiftly that such 'understanding' existed or exists, his statements echoed just as loudly by the PLO counterpart.
In fact, the US is aiming to reduce settlement plans, or at least keep it to a minimum.
There was however, an apparent understanding that the release of prisoners would come in return for a delay in the seeking of UN membership in international agencies by the PLO.
Source : France 24/ 10.26.13
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