Marwan Barghouthi on List for Potential Prisoner Exchange

7 October 2007

Bethlehem – Ma'an – Imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouthi said Saturday that he is aware of a list of Palestinian prisoners who could be released in exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been detained in the Gaza Strip since June 2006.

In a meeting with Labor MK Nadia Hilou, Barghouthi said, "There is a list of 350 names of prisoners to be exchanged with Gl'ad Shalit, and I knew my name was on the list."

Hilou visited Barghouthi in his cell at Hadarim prison. She asked him support the the US-sponsored November peace conference and a prisoner exchange.

Barghouthi, a wildly popular figure among Palestinians, is speculated to be a strong candidate for the Palestinian presidency.

Hilou became the first Christian Palestinian member of the Israeli Knesset in April 2006.