Fatah's only hope

[Violet_Crumble]

"When you need a thief you take him down from the gallows." This proverb now can be applied to Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC)member Marwan Barghouti, who is serving a lifetime sentence. His release from prison could be a lifeline for Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and the Fatah movement in the council's elections slated for the end of January. This is particularly relevant given the worsening of the security situation over the weekend, which has further exacerbated the power struggles among the Palestinian factions, as Hamas looks as if it is taking control of the Gaza Strip.

With all due respect to the moral and legal arguments regarding Barghouti, the crucial factor is political circumstances. Given Israel's current circumstances, his release is nearly impossible due to power struggles at the top of the Israeli pyramid that will prevent ministers from supporting such a proposal. However, it is important to note that under different circumstances in the past, Israeli governments have released prisoners far worse than Barghouti, such as Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmad Yassin and more than 1,000 terrorists, hundreds of them murderers and prisoners serving lifetime sentences, in the exchange deal with Ahmad Jibril. Not to mention negotiations and diplomatic partnerships that Israel's governments have conducted and are still conducting with dispatchers of terrorists and planners of attacks who have served and are still serving in key PA positions. All of these are no better than Barghouti.

There is no doubt that Barghouti is the most popular Fatah figure on the Palestinian street. Ever since he was jailed and sentenced to five life terms plus 40 years, he has received the most support in public opinion polls following Abbas. Even Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar receives less support: In a June 2004 survey, support for Barghouti was twice as high as Zahar's. In a May 2005 survey, support for Barghouti declined, because he had withdrawn his candidacy against Abbas in the elections, but even then, his supporters outnumbered Zahar's.


Presumably, Barghouti's popularity has to do with the fact that he is incarcerated in an Israeli prison. But there are other well-known prisoners, among them the refugee leader from Nablus, Wassam Hader, who, like Barghouti, is a member of the PLC, but whose name is not mentioned for leadership positions.

In the Palestinian media, Barghouti is mentioned often. He issues policy statements that are published on the front pages of the newspapers every Monday and Thursday. Palestinians and others in important positions visit and consult with him frequently. He has people working for him from prison, and deals with public and policy matters. The people preparing the list of candidates for the PLC elections are declaring that it is their intention to put him at the top of the list.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/629038.html

[bemildred]

1. Not that is interesting.

All things come to him who waits.