Fatah wraps up congress with Israel split on jailed militant
Thursday, 13 August 2009
BETHLEHEM, Aug 12 (AFP): The Palestinian Fatah party Wednesday wrapped up a landmark congress after electing a new generation of leaders including a jailed militant whose fate is dividing Israeli leaders. The party's first convention in 20 years was all but over, although officials are yet to count votes for the 120-member Revolutionary Council, a key body of the party founded five decades ago by iconic leader Yasser Arafat.
Marwan Barghuti, a popular militant leader who is serving five life sentences in Israel for deadly attacks during the second intifada unleashed in 2000 was among those elected to the committee.
Israeli ministers are divided over whether Barghuti should be freed.
"One should release him immediately and sit down with him, no one else than him is capable of taking difficult decisions," Trade Minister Benjamin Ben Eliezer told public radio.
Marwan Barghuti, a popular militant leader who is serving five life sentences in Israel for deadly attacks during the second intifada unleashed in 2000 was among those elected to the committee.
Israeli ministers are divided over whether Barghuti should be freed.
"One should release him immediately and sit down with him, no one else than him is capable of taking difficult decisions," Trade Minister Benjamin Ben Eliezer told public radio.