Palestinian’s Trial Suggests Arafat Link to Violence

Prosecutors in the murder trial of a prominent Palestinian leader released a memorandum Monday that they hoped would help establish links between violent militias and Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat.

The document’s release came on the second day of the trial in Tel Aviv of Marwan Barghouti, the fiery leader of Arafat’s Fatah movement in the West Bank and the most high-profile Palestinian in Israeli custody. He is charged with masterminding attacks that killed 26 Israelis.

The memorandum, which appeared to be taken from notes by an interrogator, alleged that Barghouti had described buying arms for terrorist cells, including pistols and M-16 rifles. It also said he had claimed responsibility for “every action” related to the cells’ activities.

A spokesman for the Israeli Justice Ministry said other documents presented in court along with the one released to news reporters showed tacit agreement between Arafat and Barghouti concerning terror attacks.

Israeli authorities have long cast aspersions on Arafat’s leadership, accusing him of corruption and of refusing to rein in suicide bombers dispatched to Israeli cities and attacks on Jewish settlements. Hundreds of Israelis have died in such attacks since the Palestinian uprising began in September 2000.

Arafat’s defenders blame the Israeli army’s heavy-handed crackdowns and incursions into Palestinian territories for fueling the violence.

According to Justice Ministry spokesman Jacob Galanti, Barghouti told his interrogators that “Arafat used him, and whenever [Arafat] wanted to prevent terror, he said, ‘Stop terror,’ and whenever he wanted terror attacks to continue, he didn’t say anything.”

Known for his speeches at street rallies and funerals and for his keen sense of humor, Barghouti was billed as a potential successor to Arafat before his arrest a year ago.

On Monday, Barghouti’s lawyer characterized his client’s trial as a propaganda tool.

“This is an Israeli attempt to paint the Palestinian leadership as a terrorist leadership,” said Jawad Boulous.

“If anyone should be brought to court, it’s the occupation,” he added, referring to Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The trial entered its second day Monday after a high-antics display of irreverence by Barghouti and other witnesses on Sunday. Barghouti has refused to recognize the proceedings as legitimate, saying that the court represents Israel’s occupying force and insisting on his right to remain silent.

He saluted Palestinian witnesses and flashed victory signs at supporters during the opening of the trial, and one witness tore up a document presented to him and reportedly asked: “Is this a court? I thought it was a soccer match.”

During Monday’s testimony, prosecutors brought four Palestinian prisoners before the court. They shuffled in wearing shackles and handcuffs but offered only partial testimony and covered their ears during prosecutors’ statements.

Asked if he knew Barghouti, one of the witnesses, Nasser Shawish, said, “There is no one who doesn’t know Barghouti.” Shawish denied that Barghouti had organized anti-Israeli attacks by militia gunmen.

When Barghouti initially refused to contest the charges against him, the Tel Aviv District Court assigned a team of public defenders to represent him. But he has ignored their advice to drop his passive defense.

The lawyers asked to be dismissed from the case because Barghouti was not cooperating with them. But the Supreme Court turned down the request last week.

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Times staff writer Megan K. Stack contributed to this report.