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Message: <br /><br /> If you are having trouble reading this email, you may view this article online at: http://www.jweekly.com/18300/full/18300/israelis-hope-barghouti-s-trial-will-implicate-leadership/ <br /><br /> <b>Israelis hope Barghouti’s trial will implicate leadership</b> <br /> Friday, August 16, 2002 | by <p>NAOMI SEGALJewish Telegraphic Agency </p> <br /><br /><p>Israeli officials are hoping the trial of Palestinian militia leader Marwan Barghouti will prove that members of the Palestinian leadership have been directly involved in terrorism against Israel.<br /><br /> Barghouti's lawyer has a different agenda: He said Wednesday that he plans to use the trial to focus on what he described as Israel's actions as an occupying power.<br /><br /> The judge, however, has already made his stance clear. He said at Wednesday's indictment hearing that he would not permit the defense to "turn this court into a political stage."<br /><br /> At the hearing in a Tel Aviv court, Barghouti—who ranked second only to Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat in recent polls of Palestinians—was charged with orchestrating terror attacks, which killed scores of Israelis, including a shooting attack at a bat mitzvah celebration in Hadera, a shooting spree on Jerusalem's Jaffa Road and a shooting at a Tel Aviv restaurant.<br /><br /> After shouting the "uprising will be victorious" as he was led into court, Barghouti later said during the hearing that he was a peaceful man, "trying to do everything for peace between the two peoples. I believe the best solution is two states for two peoples."<br /><br /> When a reporter asked about his health as he entered the court, Barghouti said "Baruch Hashem"—Hebrew for "Thank God"—an expression often used by observant Jews.<br /><br /> Barghouti learned Hebrew from previous times he was held in Israeli jails during the first intifada, which lasted from 1987 to 1993.<br /><br /> The indictment sheet described Barghouti as an "arch-terrorist whose hands are bloodied by dozens of terrorist actions."<br /><br /> He is the most senior of five Palestinian officials whom Israel is bringing to trial. Two of Barghouti's deputies have already been indicted.<br /><br /> After the seven-count indictment was filed, the judge set the next hearing for Sept. 5.<br /><br /> Barghouti was arrested in Ramallah in mid-April during an Israeli anti-terror operation in the West Bank. He insists he is merely a political leader and not responsible for his group's violence.<br /><br /> Once considered a moderate who was involved in the peace efforts with Israel, Barghouti became a highly popular symbol of Palestinian resistance after the start of the intifada in September 2000.<br /><br /> According to the charge sheet drawn up by the Israeli Justice Ministry, Barghouti was in charge of the West Bank operations of Fatah, the Tanzim and the Al Aksa Brigade.<br /><br /> The charges against him included murder, incitement to murder and membership and activity in a terrorist organization.<br /><br /> Once considered a possible successor to Arafat, Barghouti is a member of the Palestinian legislative council. During the intifada, he evolved into an outspoken advocate of armed struggle to achieve Palestinian aims.<br /><br /> Observers suggested that his arrest and trial would only increase his popularity among the Palestinian public.</p> <p> </p>

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