Arafat ‘successor’ faces life in jail

MARWAN BARGHOUTI, the Palestinian uprising leader seen as a successor to Yasser Arafat, faces life in an Israeli prison after being convicted yesterday of ordering shootings that killed four Israelis and a Greek monk.

The Tel Aviv District Court convicted Barghouti of murder and membership in a terrorist organisation. The prosecution asked the court for five consecutive life terms. Sentencing is set for June 6.

However, the panel of three judges cleared Barghouti of responsibility for 21 other deaths.

At the time of his arrest in April 2002, Barghouti headed Arafat’s Fatah movement in the West Bank. Israel said Barghouti also played a leading role in Fatah’s violent offshoot, the Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, which has carried out scores of shooting and bombing attacks on Israelis.

The court said Mr Arafat looked to Barghouti to carry out his wishes, including attacks, giving legal weight for the first time to the Israeli government position that Mr Arafat has been orchestrating violence. Mr Arafat and his aides have denied the allegations.

In response to Barghouti’s conviction, Al Aqsa leaders in the Gaza Strip threatened to kidnap Israelis as a bargaining chip for their jailed leader. Barghouti said he believes there will be peace if Israel withdraws from the West Bank and Gaza.