Barghouti is how popular among Palestinian Arabs?

A.P. photo/ Nasser Nasser -- Barghouti commanding terrorists

Marwan Barghouti is thought to be among the convicted terrorists Israel may release, so Khalid Abu Toameh of the Jerusalem Post analyzed how popular he is.

The analysis includes Fatah rumors about motives and popularity.  They often are falsely conspiratorial and self-serving.  I omitted the more speculative ones.

Barghouti wants to get out and become president of the Palestinian Authority (P.A.).  Polls show he would win.  He represents the [aging] “young guard” whom Abbas has been keeping down.  The young guard [says it] opposes corruption.  Barghouti wants to reconcile with Hamas.

The favorable polls may be mistaken.  Popular?  He headed Fatah’s legislative ticket that lost to Hamas.  The esteem for him may be just general solidarity with Israeli prisoners.  Other young guard eminences may fear his competition.  

Skeptical Palestinian Arabs ask whether he has Israeli backing.  “Since when does Israel allow a security prisoner to give media interviews or hold meetings with Israeli, Palestinian, European and American officials in his prison cell?”  (www.imra.org.il, 11/26).

Good question.  Why are only a few right-wing Israelis asking that question?