PA Minister for Prisoners Hisham Abdel Razak has also demanded that a framework agreement guarantee the release of all prisoners. Yesterday's protests turned violent, as IDF and security forces dispersed hundreds of Palestinians demanding the release of security prisoners at Rachel's Tomb outside Bethlehem and the Ayosh junction outside Ramallah. Soldiers attending an awards ceremony at the Judea and Samaria Division headquarters near the Ayosh junction were forced to leave the ceremony to deal with the rioters. The IDF Spokesman said troops fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse stonethrowers at Rachel's Tomb and at Ayosh junction, where students also set fire to tires. One IDF officer was lightly injured by a rock, the IDF Spokesman said, adding that in both incidents the Palestinian Police intervened to quell the rioters.
Palestinian reports claim five or six demonstrators suffered light injuries.
In Ramallah, around 500 university students marched toward an IDF compound and clashed with soldiers. Twist the arm of the Zionists. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the release of prisoners was raised by the Palestinian side, but Israel did not promise to release more prisoners. The PA has submitted a list of 23 names to Israel and awaits a response. The Palestinians are asking for the release of old and sick prisoners who have served long jail terms, as well as Fatah prisoners who have killed or wounded Israelis before the signing of the Oslo accord, a PA official explained.