Israel Matzav

Barghouti frozen out of Fatah conference?

Here's another reason to oppose murderer Marwan Barghouti's release from prison: He's been frozen out of the Fatah leadership anyway.

Despite high expectations, the effect of Marwan Barghouthi's camp on the conference was minimal. Of his group, only Barghouthi -- who has been in an Israeli prison since 2002 -- won a seat in the FCC, ranking third among the winners. The congress neither distributed nor read a letter from Barghouthi detailing the political and organizational steps that Fatah should undertake to restore its leadership. Abbas also rejected Barghouthi's request to make the so-called Prisoners Document -- officially the National Reconciliation Document, the product of the 2007 Mecca Accords -- Fatah's political platform, stating in his inaugural speech that "the political program of the unity government with Hamas was refused by the world." Furthermore, Barghouthi's requests to have all members of the FCC elected by secret ballot (including Abbas) and to preserve quotas for women and for Fatah members abroad were completely ignored. Ultimately, Barghouthi appears to be a big name in Fatah only because he is imprisoned; in reality, he lacks power in the party.

In other words, the idea that Barghouti can lead the 'Palestinians' to peace is more wishful thinking by Israel's Left.

Hope and change same!

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:06 AM