Last update - 00:00 20/06/2007
Dichter: We can't free Barghouti as experiment with unknown results
By Haaretz Service
Public Security Minister Dichter Avi Dichter told Israel Radio Wednesday that Israel not should consider freeing jailed Fatah-Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti as a measure to shore up Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' government after Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip.
Israel cannot release Barghouti "as part of an experiment where we will say 'maybe it will help and maybe it won't,'" Dichter Said.
"Barghouti is certainly a prominent figure in Fatah and in the West Bank, and maybe also in general Palestinian society. But this man built his status on our backs and with our blood," the minister added.
Dichter's comments followed Environment Minister and former senior Shin Bet official Gideon Ezra's call Tuesday for Barghouti's release.
In an interview with Israel Radio, Ezra maintained that "Abbas is lacking support... I would have freed Barghouti a while ago. Abbas needs able leaders in addition to [current Prime Minister] Salam Fayyad."
Barghouti was convicted in 2004 of five counts of murder for ordering three terror attacks against Israeli civilians, and is currently serving five life sentences in Hadarim Prison.
Dichter also said: "The leaders of the PA need to understand there are punishments for murder in a properly-functioning state, and we are a properly-functioning state. This as yet has not happened with them."
When asked about the possibility of Israel releasing the Fatah chief at some point in the future, the minister answered: "This is something we might consider ... only if we reach the point of his [being able to achieve] very serious and practical results."
Barghouti's release was recently mooted as an option in a prisoner exchange for captured Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit.