In an unusual move, Israel's highest ranking military officer opposed plans to release Fatah terrorists who reside in Gaza from Israeli prisons. This is a  direct challenge to an initiative by Prime Minister Olmert. 

Olmert sees prisoner releases as a way of bolstering the Abbas government.

 Lt. General Gabi Ashkenazi said that this action will "not bolster Abbas" and he noted that they would be going back to Gaza which has been declared by Israel as "hostile territory." In the past, Ashkenazi has opposed releasing prisoners as long as Israeli soldiers remain prisoners.

Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the Israeli government's rush to Annapolis. He noted that  Abbas and company refuse to recognize Israel as a Jewish State.

One wonders if there are any Red Flags for the Olmert Government. Is there anything Abbas can say or do that will cause Olmert to stop paying this dangerous game of trying to prop up an enemy entity?