Economist Podcasts The Weekend Intelligence: The man who would lead Palestine
20 snips
Apr 6, 2024 
Marwan Barghouti, a Palestinian politician and revolutionary currently serving a life sentence, could be pivotal in shaping Palestine's future. In the conversation, Barghouti's enduring influence on Palestinian politics is explored, highlighting his popularity amid the current leadership. The discussion dives into his resilience in prison, his commitment to education, and the emotional toll on families of prisoners. Barghouti's journey from activism to advocating armed resistance during the Second Intifada is also examined, alongside his potential to unify factions and foster peace with Israel.
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Abbas's unpopularity
- Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority leader, has cancelled elections for 18 years and is unpopular.
- He often appears half-asleep in public, and polls suggest he'd only get 8% of the vote.
Barghouti's imprisonment and popularity
- Marwan Barghouti is a Palestinian political prisoner and is popular among Palestinians.
- Despite his imprisonment, he teaches fellow inmates and reads extensively, earning him the nickname "the professor."
Barghouti's early life and activism
- Barghouti's activism began in his youth when Israeli soldiers killed his family dog.
- He comes from the village of Koba, which has a long history of resistance against occupation.
