No small number of Palestinian leaders are what may be termed “Graduates of the Israeli Prison Service”. When such people are released, the fact that they had been incarcerated in Israel gives them added legitimacy.
Such prisoners have a public that looks upon them as paying a price, and who are therefore entitled to respect. They have fought for the cause and are paying the price. They have earned points just for sitting in prison. Secondly, in prison they have all the time in the world to reflect. Nobody is chasing them. They are secure and are supplied with all their basic needs. Some spend the time elaborating their ideological world-view. Some, regrettably, in planning terror operations. And there are those who over the years come to the conclusion that they can further the aim of a Palestinian State by non-violent means. Read more>>
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