2007年VOA标准英语-Israel Finalizes List of 250 Palestinians Priso

By Robert Berger
Jerusalem
03 July 2007

Israel has put the final touches on plans for a release of Palestinian prisoners. But as Robert Berger reports from VOA's Jerusalem bureau, many Israelis and Palestinians doubt the plan will achieve its aim of boosting the peace process.

Israel has finalized¹ a list of 250 Palestinian prisoners slated² for release. They are from the Fatah faction³ of Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. He heads a moderate government in the West Bank after the violent takeover of the Gaza Strip by the Islamic militant⁴ group Hamas.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says it is a goodwill⁵ gesture to Mr. Abbas, because he opposes violence and supports the peace process.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (r) shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert before their meeting at the city of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, 25 Jun 2007

"I promised the Palestinians that our government will consider the new Palestinian government, free of any Hamas people, as a genuine partner," he said.

But the prisoner release has been criticized by Israelis and Palestinians alike.

Palestinians are disappointed because the list is made up of people who have nearly completed their terms. Palestinian spokesman Mustafa Barghouti says if Israel wants to strengthen Mr. Abbas, it is not enough.

"They're restricting their support by declaring that they will release only 250 prisoners out of 11,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, and while they are arresting almost 200 every month," he said.

If it is not enough for Palestinians, it is too much for many Israelis. Rabbi Stuart Weiss, whose son was killed in a Palestinian attack, says releasing prisoners will bring more terror.

"To free individuals who are almost without question going to perpetrate many more murders, as has been the case, conclusively⁶ proven, in the past is certainly something that can only spell disaster for the nation at large," he said.

Reassuring⁷ the public, the Israeli government says the prisoners on the list do not have "Jewish blood on their hands," meaning they were not directly involved in attacks on Israelis.

1 finalized   

vt.完成（finalize的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• The draft of this article has been finalized [done]. 这篇文章已经定稿。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The draft was revised several times before it was finalized. 稿子几经删改才定下来。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 slated   

用石板瓦盖( slate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Yuki is working up an in-home phonics program slated for Thursdays, and I'm drilling her on English conversation at dinnertime. Yuki每周四还有一次家庭语音课。我在晚餐时训练她的英语口语。
• Bromfield was slated to become U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. 布罗姆菲尔德被提名为美国农业部长。

3 faction   

n.宗派，小集团；派别；派系斗争

参考例句：

• Faction and self-interest appear to be the norm.派系之争和自私自利看来非常普遍。
• I now understood clearly that I was caught between the king and the Bunam's faction.我现在完全明白自己已陷入困境，在国王与布纳姆集团之间左右为难。

4 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

5 goodwill   

n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉

参考例句：

• His heart is full of goodwill to all men.他心里对所有人都充满着爱心。
• We paid ￡10,000 for the shop,and ￡2000 for its goodwill.我们用一万英镑买下了这家商店，两千英镑买下了它的信誉。

6 conclusively   

adv.令人信服地，确凿地

参考例句：

• All this proves conclusively that she couldn't have known the truth. 这一切无可置疑地证明她不可能知道真相。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• From the facts,he was able to determine conclusively that the death was not a suicide. 根据这些事实他断定这起死亡事件并非自杀。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 reassuring   

a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的

参考例句：

• He gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. 他轻拍了一下她的肩膀让她放心。
• With a reassuring pat on her arm, he left. 他鼓励地拍了拍她的手臂就离开了。