[Jerusalem Post] Yaakov Katz and Talia Dekel - Jailed Fatah-Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti is unlikely to unite the split Palestinian factions if he is released in a prisoner swap for kidnapped St.-Sgt. Gilad Shalit, according to a recent Israeli Defense Ministry report. The report analyzed his political strength and concluded that his influence was felt mainly in Ramallah but not in other parts of the West Bank, such as Nablus and Jenin - Hamas and Islamic Jihad strongholds. In addition, the researchers found that Barghouti was rarely mentioned by the PA media. The report concluded that Barghouti would encounter fierce opposition from the "old guard" in the PA, such as former prime minister Ahmed Qurei.
2008-09-10 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive