Monday, December 20, 2004

Barghouti as deputy Palestinian chairman?

Danny Rubinstein, veteran Arab affairs correspondent for Haaretz, writes that Abu Mazen, assuming he wins the Palestinian elections for a new chairman, could appoint jailed Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti as his deputy.

According to Rubinstein, such a move, albeit symbolic, would solidify Abu Mazen's support among the younger generation of Palestnians who support Barghouti, but would not threaten the Palestinian leader as long as Barghouti remains in an Israeli prison.