Can't imagine them releasing Barghouti early. Yet, lol, high hopes there may be one tiny new something in here for you .. :)
Aug 11, 2009 .. Growing support for Barghouti's release By JPOST.COM STAFF
There is growing support in the cabinet and in the Knesset for the release of jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, who is a top contender to replace Palestinian Authority President
Jailed Fatah-Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti in an Israeli prison. Photo: AP
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi are seen during a visit Tuesday to an Israel Air Force base in central Israel to oberve the 'Juniper Cobra' joint excercise of the US and IDF. .. Nov 3, 2009
Jack Teitel, 37, right, flashes a V-sign inside a court in Petah Tikva on Wednesday. Israeli authorities arrested the Jewish- American extremist on suspicions he carried out a series of high-profile hate crimes against Arabs, peace activists and Messianic Jews. .. Nov 4, 2009 Photo: AP
Following the election of Barghouti to Fatah's powerful Central Committee on Tuesday, Minority Affairs Minister Avishay Braverman (Labor) said, "In light of the election results, we must consider releasing him in order to create a moderate and strong political leadership among the Palestinians."
"Barghouti can probably deliver the goods and strengthen the moderate current, that supports a diplomatic solution and an accord with Israel," Braverman said.
National Infrastructures Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer (Labor) has in the past also expressed support for the notion. Channel 10 reported on Tuesday that the minister said in closed conversations earlier in the day that Barghouti "is the only one" who can bring the Palestinians to a final-status peace deal with Israel.
Ben-Eliezer reportedly said he was discussing the issue with other ministers and with the prime minister.
Meanwhile, Kadima MK and former deputy head of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) Gideon Ezra told the NRG Web site that should the Palestinians demand the release of Barghouti as part of a prisoner swap for abducted IDF soldier Gilad Schalit, "Israel should not be inflexible and [should] oblige the Palestinians in Barghouti's case."
Ezra called Barghouti a "charismatic and popular leader" and said he was not surprised by his election to a key position in Fatah.
Not everyone was supportive of a release, with National Union MK Arye Eldad saying "the calls for Barghouti's release are made by leftists, who continue to repeat obsolete catchphrases, and still believe the murderous terrorist organization Fatah should be strengthened in order to fight Hamas."
In 2004, Barghouti was convicted for his involvement in terrorist attacks during the second intifada and sentenced to five life sentences for the murders of four Israelis and a Greek monk and 40 years imprisonment for an attempted murder.
However, Barghouti is seen by some as a relatively moderate force in the Palestinian leadership.
In 2006, he was involved in shaping what became known as "the Palestinian prisoners' document," which calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state within the pre-1967 borders and for the "right of return" for Palestinian refugees. It was signed by prisoners representing of all major Palestinian factions, including Hamas.
What's the plan? Delay the elections until his release?
Presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for January next year, but are widely expected to be delayed until June at the earliest because of a deep rift between the West Bank, run by Abbas's Fatah movement, and Gaza, run by its Islamist rival, Hamas. An election in both areas is unlikely without a reconciliation between the factions, but that has proved increasingly elusive.
Note, the bold .. where did i read that the reportage there gives a false picture in the absence of a mention of Israel, as they are essence in control in both the West bank and in Gaza ..
In the light of the suggestion of 'progress', this is crazy .. Yesterday, the Palestinian chief negotiator, Saeb Erekat, said the Israeli proposal effectively meant more settlement homes would be built in the next two years than in 2008 and 2009. There are now nearly 500,000 Jewish settlers living in east Jerusalem and the West Bank, although settlement on occupied land is illegal under international law.
Yes .. Please, who could ever respect this man ? oh yeah , us .... he lost an election and took power anyway with our encouragement and blessings ..AND - it's been a worse disaster ever since, if that's possible. He was corrupt to begin with and worse now ...I'm glad to see him going .. IF they released Marwan Barghouti ...what deals would he have to make ? ... I just can't see it, all though, there has been talk of this off and on forever ....
What '2nd state' can there possibly ever be from here.
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