Former West Bank Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti presented his closing arguments in his trial at the Tel Aviv District Court Monday morning.
Barghouti has been accused by Israel of 26 counts of
"murder" for his alleged role in attacks against Israelis.
Barghouti's name has often been brought up in the context of prisoner exchange negotiations with Hizbullah, but Israel's Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said recently that while a prisoner agreement is "closer than at any time in the past," Barghouti is not on the list of those slated for release.
The Fatah-Tanzim leader, who reiterated that he does not
recognize the court's right to try him, used his closing argument to deliver a speech against the occupation of the
Palestinian territories, but did not focus on the offences for which he was indicted.
During his speech, Barghouti stated it was the third anniversary of the Intifada and reviewed the agreements between Israel and the Palestinians, even making reference to the assassination of former Israeli Prime Minister Rabin, saying that the murderer had "wanted to murder Rabin to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state."
Barghouti, who represented himself, restated that the fight against occupation must continue "every minute," arguing that, "a man cannot be a Palestinian leader if he does not fight the occupation."
Barghouti even referred to the recent letter signed by Israeli pilots in which they expressed refusal to take part in assassinations and other operations in the Palestinian occupied territories.
Barghouti asked his Israeli Judges, "Why don't you refuse, like the [Israeli] pilots, who reached a conclusion that they are committing war crimes?" You should refuse to judge me, just like the pilots oppose the occupation."
Barghouti added he is proud of the Intifada "as long as the Israeli occupation exists." According to him, "It is better to die than to live under occupation."
Several people came to the hearing to show their support for Barghouti, including representatives of the European Parliament from France and Italy as well as Sari Nuseiba, president of Al-Quds University. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
