NEWS: Palestinian Leader Convicted in Death of Israelis, page 1

Marwan Barghouti was convicted today in a court case held by Israel for the deaths of four Israelis and a Greek monk. Israel had charged that Barghouti was responsible for more than 26 Israeli deaths and that he funnelled money to militants. The court acquitted Barghouti of most charges saying he did not have direct control over the militants. The convictions were for a shooting incident in 2001 which took the life of a Greek Orthodox monk, an Israeli in the West Bank in 2002, and three people at a Tel Aviv restaurant in 2002.
He was also convicted of one count of attempted murder for an attempted car bombing at a Jerusalem mall. The ruling also stated that Yasser Arafat encouraged attacks but did not specifically ordered them. Barghouti has been held in an Israeli jail for more than two years and is touted as being a potential successor to Yasser Arafat.

Palestinian Uprising Leader Convicted in Deaths of Israelis
In response to the conviction, Palestinian militants threatened to kidnap Israelis as bargaining chips for Barghouti.

Barghouti, who flashed V-signs with shackled hands as he entered the courtroom, reiterated that he does not accept the court's authority. However, the longtime advocate of a Palestinian state alongside Israel also said he believes there will be peace if Israel withdraws from the West Bank and Gaza.

"I call on the Israeli public, 'Don't believe for one moment that you can overcome the Palestinians with force," he said. "Palestinians have no power, but they have justice on their side."

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Barghouti stated that the court had no right to try him because he is an elected Palestinian official and was abducted illegally. His lawyer also stated that he did not recognize the Israeli court's decision.

[Edited on 5-20-2004 by worldwatcher]

[Edited on 20-5-2004 by Banshee]