Special envoys of the European Union, Russia, United Nations and United States are meeting today at the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem to discuss the situation in the Occupied Territories. On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Egypt to discuss how Israel could bolster Fatah forces aligned with Abbas. Olmert agreed to release 250 Palestinian prisoners — all of whom are tied to Abbas’ Fatah faction. Many Palestinians criticized Olmert for not freeing more of the 11,000 Palestinians being held in Israel.

Mother of Palestinian prisoner: “I wish for my son and all the prisoners an immediate release — for both Fatah and non-Fatah. What does 250 prisoners out of many thousands of prisoners mean? I hope they will release all the prisoners.”

A Hamas spokesperson dismissed Monday’s talks and accused Fatah of partnering with Israel.

Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesperson: “Sharm el-Sheikh summit only represents going in circles and bypassing mirage solutions. This summit did not present or offer anything new to our Palestinian people except empty promises like the discussion about the release of some of the money that rightfully belong to our Palestinian people. Also, the discussion about the release of 250 prisoners, all from the Fatah faction, means that they are talking about a partnership that is not between Hamas and Fatah, but unfortunately between the leaders of the authority and the Israeli occupation.”

Meanwhile, the chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat of Fatah called on Israel to take more steps to help Fatah.

Saeb Erekat: “We need to see the settlement activities stopped. And this was discussed thoroughly. And we hope to see [results] on the ground. Secondly, restoring the situation to that which existed prior to September 28, 2001, in the West Bank, meaning restoration of the political status of area A and B, meaning the fugitives’ files and the deportees. And then the release of Palestinian prisoners. We need genuine moves, and we hope to see the results of what was discussed and what was agreed and what was put under consideration.”