The brainstorming in Israel on how to strengthen Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has again raised the possibility of releasing Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti from prison. Several members of Ehud Olmert's government regard clemency as a wonder drug that would instantly bolster the popularity of Abbas (Abu Mazen) and save Fatah from collapse. But it is doubtful that Barghouti can be his movement's savior. To save Fatah, more is needed than the reemergence of this or that charismatic leader. In certain circumstances, freeing Barghouti could definitely help Abu Mazen in the internal Palestinian arena, but in other conditions it is even likely to hurt him.

In fact, some of those closest to the PA chairman speak skeptically about Barghouti's ability to save the rais, the leader. Barghouti, they say, enjoys support among the Palestinian people, but is liable to become Abu Mazen's most dangerous opponent once he is out of prison. At this stage, relations between the two are excellent. The rais coordinates practically every significant move with Barghouti. But according to several people close to Abu Mazen, if Barghouti is released and negotiations with Israel produce significant understandings on a permanent-status accord, only Barghouti would be capable and eager enough to undermine Abu Mazen's leadership.

These Abu Mazen associates do not forget how in July 2000, on the eve of the current intifada, Barghouti posed the strongest opposition to Yasser Arafat within Fatah. He organized stormy demonstrations in the territories against Arafat's concessions at Camp David, and he surrounded himself with armed men. The rifles that appeared with Barghouti in July fired at Israeli targets in October. Barghouti, more than any other Palestinian leader, can register a patent on the outbreak of riots, and more than anything else on the abandonment of the intifada's popular dimension and the transition to armed struggle. Through his aide, Ahmed Barghouti, he established a network of armed groups - the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades - that eviscerated the term 'Fatah leadership.'
Bu