Another Propaganda Gift From Israel

I'm not a geopolitical strategist, just a media guy who knows a bit about PR strategies, propaganda and spin. So I don't know why the Israelis agree to release prisoners. The advertized reason is to "strengthen Abbas." The real reason is probably that Bush puts a gun to Sharon's head. Again, just speculation.

What I do know is that everytime Israel does this, the result is a propaganda victory for the Palestinians. Not only does Israel not get any brownie points for releasing prisoners, but the Palestinian Authority inevitably announces "disappointment" with something-or-other related to the release. Meanwhile, predictably, the prisoners are greeted with all kinds of jubilation that even the Israeli press picks up.

Why does a country give a propaganda victory to its sworn enemies and get nothing in return? Beats the hell out of me.