Washington: US President Donald Trump has announced that he will soon decide whether to advocate for the release of imprisoned Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti. Barghouti is considered by many as a potential unifying figure for Palestinians towards a two-state solution.
According to Anadolu Agency, Trump made these remarks during an interview with Time magazine, where he was questioned about Barghouti's release. He mentioned that he was confronted with the question shortly before the interview and stated, "I'll be making a decision." Trump highlighted the current lack of visible Palestinian leadership and discussed his past interactions with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, whom he described as reasonable, albeit not presently so.
Barghouti, often referred to as the "Palestinian Mandela," is a prominent leader within the Fatah movement. He was arrested by Israel in 2002 and is serving multiple life sentences for his alleged role in orchestrating attacks against Israelis. Despite his imprisonment, Barghouti remains influential, topping polls as a preferred candidate for a potential Palestinian presidential election.
In related developments, an Israeli government spokesperson confirmed that Barghouti would not be part of any prisoner exchange under a Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Trump also addressed the issue of Israeli annexation efforts in the West Bank. He warned that such actions could lead to a loss of US support for Israel, emphasizing his commitment to Arab allies and the potential consequences of annexation. Recently, the Knesset advanced bills to annex the West Bank and Ma'ale Adumim settlement bloc, though these require further readings to become law.
Furthermore, Trump discussed the broader Middle East peace process, suggesting that reducing Iran's regional influence is crucial. He attributed the destabilization of the region to the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, which he believes empowered Iran. Trump also noted his intervention in stopping Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from continuing attacks on Gaza, which could have prolonged the conflict.
The US-led negotiations, involving mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Trkiye, played a pivotal role in the ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. Israel's recent strike on Doha, during these intense negotiations, led to an apology from Netanyahu to Qatari officials, facilitating the resumption of talks and the development of the Trump administration's 20-point peace plan for the region.