Palestinian jailed leader Barghouti in the news as Israel piles pressure; longtime Fatah fig, elected legislator, imprisoned 2004 PM-era.
Palestinian protests have erupted across the West Bank and Gaza following Israel's passage of a law allowing the death penalty for Palestinians accused of terrorism. The law has drawn international condemnation, increased violence, and protests in Palestinian cities and abroad. Israeli military actions and settler violence continue to escalate.
Fatah has held its three-day Eighth General Conference in Ramallah and has re-elected Mahmoud Abbas as movement head while voting for a new central committee. Marwan Barghouti has topped the vote, Jibril Rajoub and Hussein Al‑Sheikh have retained senior posts, and Yasser Abbas has won a seat on the central committee.