Wife of prominent Palestinian prisoner asks Trump for help
The wife of prominent Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti has appealed to US President Donald Trump. She wants him to help arrange the release of the popular leader from Israeli captivity.
Barghouti can be a “sincere partner” for Trump and “help realize the dream of a just and lasting peace in the region,” according to wife and lawyer Fadwa Barghouti. “In the interests of the freedom of the Palestinian people and peace for all future generations, help release Marwan Barghouti.”
Trump told Time magazine on October 15 that he is considering urging Israel to release Barghouti. This interview was published on Thursday. Trump’s Secretary of State Marco Rubio could say “nothing new” about this on Friday.
Barghouti, 66, is a prominent figure in the Fatah movement of President Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian administration in the West Bank. Supporters of Barghouti see him as one of the few Palestinians who could be accepted as a leader by all political groups.
An Israeli court sentenced Barghouti to life in prison several times in 2004 for organizing deadly attacks on Israelis during the second Palestinian intifada (2000-2005). During that period, Palestinians rebelled against the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. Barghouti denies the accusations against him.
Hamas has requested Barghouti’s release as part of the ceasefire deal, according to Egyptian media. Israel released nearly 2,000 prisoners this month in exchange for 20 living Israeli hostages.