|
|
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource."
|
Is Marwan Barghouti a Palestinian Ariel Sharon?
|
|---|
| Parent(s) |
Container
|
| Contributor | RP |
| Last Edited | RP Nov 28, 2005 02:04pm |
| Logged |
0
|
| Category | Profile |
| News Date | Sunday, November 27, 2005 08:00:00 PM UTC0:0 |
| Description | If Fatah sweeps to decisive victory, January's poll could mandate Mahmoud Abbas to press ahead on a deal. Or it could strengthen the hand of Hamas, reigniting violence and eroding the tentative Israeli political will t0 make the Gaza Strip withdrawal a prelude to a final settlement on the West Bank. In a hopeful sign, support for Hamas has slipped in the latest polls, with a large majority of Palestinians now saying they support negotiations with Israel.
In an interesting wrinkle, in Fatah primaries held in Ramallah over the weekend, the overwhelming victor was Marwan Barghouti, a long-time leader who is currently serving five successive life sentences in an Israeli prison for his involvement in terrorist activities.
The results have fueled speculation that a (long-discussed) pardon for Barghouti may be in the works. Barghouti, 46 years old, represents a new generation of Palestinian leadership who commands the loyalty of radical youths to a degree Abbas never has. A former leader of the notorious al Aqsa Martyr's Brigade, Barghouti has "street cred" among Palestinians who believe they have no choice but to stand up to Israel through any means possible.
Though he's an avowed terrorist, there's more to Barghouti than his conviction for the deaths of four Israelis and a Greek monk in terror attacks. He was a participant in and outspoken proponent of the original Oslo peace process in the early 1990s and has always favored a two-state solution. As a member of the Palestinian legislative council after 1996 he led an aggressive campaign against Arafat's human rights abuses and corruption. His commitment to clean government positions him to stand up to Hamas' most powerful line of attack against the sometimes feckless Fatah leadership.
Barghouti has also spoken out against both suicide attacks and attacks against civilians within the green line. This 2001 profile gives you a feel for the contradictions. |
| Share |
|
|
2¢
|
|
| Article | Read Full Article |
|
| Date |
Category |
Headline |
Article |
Contributor |
|
|
