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World Jewish News
Marwan Barghouti
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Will Israel free Barghouti for Shalit? What will it mean?
25.11.2009, Israel
The prisoner swap deal currently being hammered out between Israel and Hamas, which would see the release of captive Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, could have far-reaching strategic implications on internal Palestinian balance of power, and attempts to strike a peace deal with Israel.
If the reports that Israel is planning to release Fatah strongman Marwan Barghouti are true, Fatah officials say that this could expedite the resignation of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, paving the way for Barghouti to assume the post.
Barghouti is currently serving five consecutive life sentences in an Israeli prison for his role in the murders of four Israelis and a Greek monk in West Bank terror attacks. But he is the most popular leader among Palestinians and is widely regarded as the only figure able to unify rival Palestinian factions.
Palestinian opinion polls show that Barghouti is extremely popular among the Palestinian public. Though Hamas is likely to gain popularity if it is able to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Shalit, no single Hamas figure seems likely to defeat Barghouti in Palestinian elections.
It is safe to assume that many within Barghouti's Fatah faction would be happy to see Barghouti stay under lock and key; many of them took part in the efforts to block his allies from gaining seats in the last party primary. But Barghouti opponents understand that it is important for Fatah to present a candidate capable of defeating Hamas, especially if the Shalit deal goes through.
Barghouti, who maintains exceptionally close relations with the Hamas leadership, has been trying to promote Palestinian unity for quite some time. In an interview from his prison cell last week, Barghouti voiced support for the idea of Palestinian "resistance" alongside peace negotiations with Israel.
Among Palestinians, the term "resistance" is an umbrella name for anything from terror attacks, which Barghouti has supported in the past, to non-violent demonstrations. In any event, it is clear that Barghouti has adopted a more hawkish line than Abbas.
Officials from the Palestinian Ministry for Prisoner Affairs convened in Jericho on Tuesday against the backdrop of a framed photograph of Barghouti hugging fellow prisoners from a range of Palestinian factions, among them Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine Secretary General Sadat and two senior Hamas officials. That is Barghouti's way - putting Palestinian unity above peace talks considerations. This stance has proven popular with the Palestinian public and has bolstered Barghouti's position as the prominent leadership candidate.
Barghouti's wife, who attended the meeting, was even welcomed as "the next president's wife."
"I hope to see him soon," she said, somewhat evasively. Those who have met with him recently say that Barghouti has accepted the challenge and is preparing himself for the political activity that will inevitably follow his release, should it come to pass.
Haaretz.com
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