Hamas has issued a demand for the release of Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Fatah leader imprisoned by Israel, as part of a hostage deal, the Associated Press (AP) reported. Barghouti is seen by many Palestinians as their Nelson Mandela and is considered a prime candidate for future Palestinian presidency. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly resistant to releasing Barghouti, who is viewed as a threat to Israeli opposition to Palestinian statehood and a challenge to Israel's stance on credible interlocutors, making Netanyahu determined not to release him in a hostage deal.
Hamas made a demand for the release of Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti as part of a hostage deal with Israel, the Associated Press (AP) reported on Saturday. Reporting by @SamHalpern1 https://t.co/jXnMbZdLM5
"He’s viewed by some Palestinians as their Nelson Mandela, and he’s a prime candidate to become their president in the future. He’s also the highest-profile prisoner held by Israel." That makes Netanyahu determined not to release him in a hostage deal. https://t.co/EHBAktJE3e
Hamas demands the release of Marwan Barghouti. https://t.co/m05YSvikwU
This is smart on Hamas’ part. But I don’t think Israel will ever release Barghouti, precisely because he’d be a respected, secular leader. For an Israeli establishment hellbent against 🇵🇸 statehood+credible interlocutors, Barghouti is a nightmare. https://t.co/6KfxqSgwDO
Hamas wants Israel to release Marwan Barghouti, but because he is widely viewed as the man most likely to unite Palestinian factions & serve as a credible negotiator of a Palestinian state, he is the last many that obstructionist Netanyahu wants to let go. https://t.co/EHBAktJE3e
Hamas demands Israel release Marwan Barghouti, a man some Palestinians see as their Nelson Mandela https://t.co/nIKU5l82Rb