Marwan Barghouti To Be Freed, Reports Say

Multiple news sources are reporting that the deal to free Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier captured by Hamas in a military operation three years ago, will include the release of Marwan Barghouti - a popular Palestinian leader imprisoned by Israel. So who is he?

Israel convicted him of ordering the murder of 4 Israelis and a Greek monk. Supporters argue that it is not clear at all that he had any role in actions committed by the al-Aqsa Brigades in the West Bank, even though they claimed him as their leader.

Barghouti gained particular fame by opposing human rights abuses and corruption among Palestinian officials. The grassroots of Fatah in particular have championed him. He led mass (nonviolent) protests at the start of the 2nd Intifada, and had a lengthy prison record starting from the 1st Intifada. This makes him an especially legitimate leader in the eyes of many. Even when he was convicted, Israeli commentators predicted this his imprisonment would only turn him into Palestine's 'Mandela.'

He launched a campaign against human rights abuses by Arafat's own security services and corruption among his officials.

On the web, you can find a good profile with the BBC and with the organized campaign to secure his release.

During the war on Gaza, he made this statement:

Marwan al-Barghouti, secretary general of Fatah, calls from his cell the Palestinian people, and urged Arab and Islamic world and world freedom lovers to widely continue the popular campaign of solidarity, in order to stop the Israeli barbaric and brutal aggression against Gaza Strip, and in order to stop the carnage continued for the second week in a row. He strongly condemned this aggression, invasion, and destruction of the Gaza Strip.

Barghouti on this occasion saluted the great steadfastness of the Palestinian people in the face of this aggression, and paid tribute to the brave resistance in response to this aggression and invasion of the occupation.

He also directed his greetings to the Palestinian people where ever they are, in the West Bank, Jerusalem, Israel, the refugee camps, and in the Diaspora, to the masses of the Arab and Islamic nations, and the Liberals in the world wide for their solidarity with the Palestinian People. He also appealed to all Palestinian national and Islamic factions and forces to unite in the face of aggression and to put down all differences, stressing that the Israeli aggression aimed at the entire Palestinian people, and aims to destroy its steadfastness.

Barghouti said that the Fatah movement and its members are an integral part of this battle in the face of aggression.

On the other hand, Barghouti stressed that the fulfillment for the blood of the martyrs, requires a quick end to the current division situation and to accomplish the national unity. Also to launch a comprehensive national dialogue on the basis of the reconciliation document, the national principles and the democratic choice. That is, to achieve a real national partnership in the Palestine Liberation Organization and in the Palestinian National Authority in order to struggle against the occupation.

He emphasized that this is the moment of unity and cohesion and to elevate over our wounds to face the aggression, to end the siege, and to continue the march towards the national freedom, right of return for the refugees and independence.