OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (PIC)– Israel is pondering the release of Marwan Al-Barghouthi one fo the top Fatah leaders in the West Bank in the currently negotiated prisoners’ exchange deal with the Palestinian resistance factions holding the IOF serviceman Gilad Shalit.
Israeli war minister Amir Peretz said that his government had changed its position that refused discussing the release of Barghouthi in a bid to bolster the position of PA chief Mahmoud Abbas in face of Hamas and the PA government formed by that Movement.
An Israeli court sentenced Barghouthi to five life terms in prison on charges of ordering attacks on Israeli targets during the Aqsa intifada. Barghouthi denied the charge.
Olmert said on Sunday that the release of Barghouthi could be discussed if his name was tabled adding that his release would hinge on what would be obtained in return.
