Danny Danon says concessions give ‘prize’ to terrorists, plans to appeal agreement in Knesset

The Egyptian-mediated agreement to end the weeks-long hunger strike of Palestinian prisoners was a mistake, Likud MK Danny Danon told Israel Radio on Tuesday morning.

The deal, announced on Monday, grants better conditions, including family visits, to prisoners held under administrative detention. Part of the deal includes modification of Israel’s administrative detention policy as well. In return, the prisoners agreed to sign a pledge renouncing terrorism, a controversial stipulation that critics say is nonbinding.

“This deal was a serious mistake; instead of making things tougher for the terrorists they are giving them a prize,” said Danon. “The situation for security prisoners must be clear: no family visits, no special benefits. And key prisoners must be in solitary confinement.”

Danon plans to bring the matter up before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in an attempt to block implementation of the deal, according to a report by Arutz Sheva.

Danon also said that just as Israel would not grant a Hezbollah member held in an Israeli jail family visits, similarly members of Hamas should not be able to receive visitors either, as both groups deny the existence of Israel.

The Almagor Terror Victims Association also came out against the agreement on Tuesday, saying in an official statement that it set a dangerous precedent as it was the first time the government had signed a deal with imprisoned terrorists. The group also slammed the involvement of Egyptian mediators in internal Israeli affairs. (© 2012 THE TIMES OF ISRAEL 05/15/12)