Topic: Marwan Barghouti

Marwan Bin Khatib Barghouti ( مروان البرغوثي born June 6, 1959) is a Palestinian political figure. He is regarded as a leader of the First and Second Intifadas. Barghouti strongly supported the peace process and Oslo Accords. Barghouti is said to have founded Tanzim. Barghouti as a political activist is acclaimed by both of the competing Palestinian political movements, Fatah and Hamas. He is also referred to by some commentators as "Palestine's Mandela".

Barghouti was captured by Israel Defense Forces in 2002 in Ramallah. Israeli authorities accused him of murder of Israeli civilians and attacks on Israeli soldiers, and after a controversial trial he was sentenced to five life sentences in Israel.

Barghouti still exerts great influence in Fatah from within prison. With popularity reaching further then that, there has been some speculation whether he could be a unifying candidate in a bid to succeed Mahmud Abbas.