Marwan Barghouti 'in solitary for 3 weeks'

The Israeli prison service will keep Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti in solitary confinement for three weeks over his statements to the press, his wife said Tuesday. Fadwa Barghouthi said she tried to visit her husband on Tuesday but was told he will not be allowed visitors for two months. Israeli Prisons Authority spokeswoman Sivan Weizman said Monday that Barghouti "has been placed in isolation for a week and denied visits and access to the inmates' canteen for a month" as punishment for his statement. On March 26, Barghouti issued a call from his cell for a new wave of popular resistance and to end "all forms of security and economic coordination (with Israel) in all areas immediately." He said negotiations with Israel had "failed miserably" to end the occupation and achieve a state and urged for "a renewal of efforts" to seek statehood at the United Nations. The message, which was read to crowds of supporters in Ramallah, marked the anniversary of his 10th year in Israeli detention. Barghouti has been put into solitary confinement 21 times during his decade in jail and spent four consecutive years in isolation, his wife said. He insists he has only called for freedom, independence and a Palestinian state. The charismatic leader, who enjoys support across the Palestinian political spectrum, is viewed as a potential successor to President Mahmoud Abbas.