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TUNIS, January 30, 2012 (AFP)
The wife of jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghuti Monday appealed for “an Arab and international mobilization” on behalf of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
“I call for Arab and international action to raise the question of all Palestinian prisoners in Israel,” Fadhwa Barguthi told reporters during a visit here.
Some 4,500 Palestinians, currently in Israeli jails, including 27 assembly members, “are held in very poor conditions and subject to treatment contrary to international conventions,” she added.
Israel last week placed her husband in solitary confinement over remarks he made to the press during a rare court appearance.
According to his wife, who is also a lawyer, he will only be freed in case of a prisoner exchange, or if the Palestinian Authority demands it ahead of renewed negotiations with Israel.
Marwan Barghuti, who is serving five life sentences after being convicted of involvement in several deadly anti-Israeli attacks, was called last week to testify at the Jerusalem Magistrates Court as part of a US civil lawsuit against the Palestinian leadership in connection with bloodshed during the second intifada (2000-2005).
Although he refused to testify, he made several statements in English, Hebrew and Arabic, telling reporters: “Peace cannot happen without ending the occupation,” and urging the Palestinians “to continue their popular struggle.”
