Israel has spent the better part of the past few days grappling with the issue of releasing Palestinian security prisoners from their current accommodations in jails throughout the country.

The average observer would think that, judging by the apparent importance given the subject, the release of Arab terror suspects from Israeli prisons was a primary stipulation of the recently launched Road Map.

And yet, a thorough reading of the Performance-Based Roadmap to a Permanent Two-State Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict shows that the freeing of murderers, inciters and conspirators is simply not an obligation the agreement places on Israel.

So why is Jerusalem exerting so much energy on the issue?

From the public view, the only perceptible reason is that the government of Ariel Sharon is succumbing to pressure from the PA and its satellite terror groups, who threaten to renew their unfettered campaign of terror if Israel does not meet their demands.

Officials insist Israel is releasing the prisoners as a "goodwill gesture" aimed at bolstering the authority of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas - and many Israelis are prepared to accept this reasoning.

They say Abbas needs such gestures in order to convince the Palestinians that Israel truly wants peace and is willing to pay a price for it.

But what is the true effect on the Palestinian population when they see Israel setting free individuals the Jewish state convicted of heinous crimes against humanity?

After all, it is the Palestinian population, the "Arab street," that has been systematically indoctrinated to see Israel as the enemy, and will therefore place any Israeli actions into one of two categories - strength or weakness.

To the Palestinian masses and the terror groups that draw from their numbers the release of convicted terrorists will not be seen as a "goodwill gesture" to be met with reciprocal actions, but rather will be interpreted as a victory over Israel - a victory achieved by using terror as a negotiating tool.

Rather than help Abbas to convince the terror groups to end their bloody war against Israel - assuming, as everyone seems to be doing, that this is what he really wants - this move is likely to reinvigorate the confidence organizations like Hamas, Islamic Jihad and even many within the PA place in utilizing terror as a political tool.

The game the Palestinians are playing goes something like this:

Kill as many Jews as possible in a brutal campaign of terror, and then suddenly agree to temporarily halt the attacks if Israel agrees to a list of conditions.

After that keep the violence burning on a low flame while threatening to call the whole ceasefire off and renew large scale terror attacks if Israel does not comply.

If possible, engage the assistance of a diplomatically recognized entity (such as the PA) in issuing statements saying the release of prisoners is essential to maintaining calm.

And it is working - Israel is now devoting serious resources to determine just how many prisoners it can afford to release without seriously undermining its own security. This is called negotiating with terror, whether Israel is directly involved in talks with the terror groups or not.

The media is acting as the arena - the terrorists are issuing their demands (backed up by the PA), and Israel is responding in kind by haggling over how best to comply.

And all outside the bounds of the Road Map, though using that latest "peace" plan as a veneer.

For anyone who hasn´t noticed, the Road Map itself is already dead. (Copyright 2002-2003 Jerusalem Newswire. 07/06/03)