Marwan Barghouti is a Palestinian political figure regarded as a leader of the First and Second Intifadas. Barghouti was arrested in 2002 and accused of directing numerous attacks and suicide bombings against civilians. Israeli authorities accused him of murder of Israeli civilians and attacks on Israeli soldiers. He was tried and convicted on charges of murder, and sentenced to five life sentences.
An Israeli protester holds a picture of a woman killed during the Palestinian uprising, at the end of Marwan Barghouthi’s hearing in a Tel Aviv District Court, May 20, 2004. (Boker Tov, Boulder)
According to Palestinian news outlets, Barack Obama suggested Israel release Palestinian killer Barghouti.
Israel Matsav reported:
Palestinian media are reporting based on Israeli sources (not reported yet in any Israeli media that I have seen) that the United States has ‘suggested’ to Israel that it release convicted terrorist Marwan Barghouti (one of the ‘heavy’ terrorists that Israel refused to release in the ‘terrorists for Gilad’ deal) from jail so that Barghouti can compete in the ‘Palestinian elections’ against Hamas (link in Arabic). Barghouti is serving multiple life sentences for murder.
And, it goes without saying, The New York Times also thinks Barghouti should be released.
