Israel could free Fatah leader in Palestinian swap

A SENIOR Fatah figure jailed by Israel could be among hundreds of Palestinian prisoners set free in exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, the Arabic daily al-Hayat reported yesterday.

Cpl Shalit was captured by Palestinian militants in June 2006.

Both Israeli and Arab media have focused on the finalisation of the deal on Marwan Barghouti, which, Hamas’s mouthpiece al-Risalah says, will be implemented on Monday, the last day of the Muslim Hajj (Pilgrimage) feast.

Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu has denied that a deal has been reached, while German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle, whose country is mediating along with Egypt, warned that premature speculation could wreck the prospects for an exchange.

Barghouti (50) is a popular leader of the grassroots Fatah youth movement. He rose to prominence during the first intifada (1987- 1993), was elected to parliament in 1996 and exercised military command during the second intifada launched in 2000. He was arrested by Israel in 2002, tried and sentenced to five life terms. He retained his parliamentary seat in 2006 and was promoted to Fatah’s central council during last summer’s party conference.

He regards the split between Fatah and Hamas as “a crime against the nation” and, if freed, could overcome resistance to reconciliation among Fatah leaders.

He is seen by many Palestinians as their Nelson Mandela.

Barghouti’s release could lead to national reconciliation and elections. Fatah would gain strength in the West Bank and Gaza and he would be the most likely candidate to succeed President Mahmoud Abbas. Hamas, the agent of the prisoners’ liberation, would also benefit politically.

Fatah’s policy would change under his leadership, since he opposes negotiations as the sole means of achieving a Palestinian state.

“I have always called for a constructive mix of negotiation, resistance, political, diplomatic and popular action.” Most Palestinians agree with his approach.

There are several indications that an agreement is near. On Monday, the head of the Palestinian Authority’s civil affairs department visited Barghouti in his cell.

Senior Hamas figures from both Gaza and Damascus met Egyptian and German mediators in Cairo.

Palestinian sources reported that detainees were being moved to three prisons in preparation for release.

Expectation of a deal on prisoners may have prompted Hamas to reconsider its position on the Egyptian-brokered reconciliation agreement. Eyad Sarraj of the Palestinian National Reconciliation Committee said Hamas would sign the document on Monday after discussions on implementation. Fatah, which has agreed to the text, warned it will revoke its signature if changes are made.