Ehud Olmert has released 255 Palestinian prisoners, including some Hamas members, in another boneheaded “good will gesture” to the terrorists of Fatah. But the problem with this kind of appeasement is that the thugs will never be satisfied; today, without making any promises or concessions, or being helpful in any way whatsoever, Mahmoud Abbas demanded the release of 100 more.

So much for good will.

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday asked Israel to release 100 Fatah prisoners serving their terms in Israeli penitentiaries, Army Radio reported.

Last Friday Israel released 255 prisoners after they signed a form in which they promised not to engage in terrorist activities following their release, and underwent a special identification process to confirm that they were, in fact, the same people who appeared on the release list.

The additional prisoners, all former residents of the Gaza Strip, would theoretically bolster Fatah’s presence in the Strip, and would also cause Hamas to tone down its demands in negotiations for the release of captured IDF soldier Cpl. Gilad Schalit.

Abbas also said he had no influence in the Gilad Schalit affair, placing the issue squarely in the hands of Hamas, Israel Radio reported.