ISRAEL’S cabinet yesterday approved the release of 500 Palestinian prisoners in what the prime minister, Ariel Sharon, called a goodwill gesture to bolster new Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and build mutual trust. Mr Sharon told the cabinet the release had been a difficult step to agree to, but that it could help build confidence between the sides and strengthen Mr Abbas’s administration. The step is one of several Israeli gestures to Mr Abbas. Israel will also allow several dozen Palestinian militants who had been expelled from the West Bank to return to their homes and gradually hand five West Bank...