Israel to Try a Leading Palestinian in Deadly Attacks
Justice spokesman Yaakov Galanti said Israel intended to try Barghouti together with four other Palestinians in civilian court because of their connection ``to several attacks in Israel'' -- as opposed to attacks carried out in the West Bank.

Some of the four could be charged in the coming days, but charges against Barghouti are only likely in a few weeks, he said.

Barghouti was a key leader of Arafat's Fatah movement in the West Bank, and in a recent public opinion survey he emerged as second in popularity only to Arafat himself.

Since the Palestinian Authority was established in 1994, Israel has not put senior Palestinian officials on trial.

In placing Barghouti on trial, Israel is apparently hoping to prove the complicity at the highest levels of the Palestinian leadership in terror attacks against its civilians. But the tactic could also backfire, turning Barghouti into a symbol of Israeli oppression and further increasing his popularity among Palestinians.

Israeli authorities have said he acknowledged orchestrating attacks, with the approval of Arafat. His lawyer, Jawad Boulos, has denied the claim.

On Thursday, Boulos said Barghouti did not care what kind of trial Israel carried out.

``Israel has no right to try him in front of a civil or military court, and we are not going to cooperate with the court,'' he said.

``Israel will build charges around whatever it wants. We don't recognize them and we won't recognize this trial,'' he said.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Israel-Palestinian-Trial.html