Israeli President Shimon Peres on Thursday pardoned a Palestinian prisoner who had carried out two long-term hunger strikes, citing concerns over his health, his office said. "Peres accepted the recommendation of the Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, in coordination with the security services, and signed the release of Mohammed Kamal al-Taj," a statement said. "The decision to release him was taken on humanitarian grounds as the prisoner was ill with a serious medical condition," it added. Taj had served almost 10 years of a 14-year sentence, the president's office said.

Former Israeli minister Yossi Beilin, who is also known as the architect of the Oslo Agreement and the Geneva Initiative, said that Israel should have apologized to Turkey right after the Mavi Marmara incident. Talking to Today's Zaman in Istanbul on Thursday, Beilin expressed concern about the US-led Israel-Palestine peace process.

Former Israeli Justice Minister Yossi Beilin, who is also known as the architect of the Oslo Agreement and the Geneva Accords, said that Israel should have apologized to Turkey right after the Mavi Marmara incident. Talking to Today's Zaman in İstanbul on Thursday, Beilin stated concern about the US-led Israel-Palestine peace process.

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