Springing Barghouti Would Foster Jihad, Not Peace

President Trump told Time Magazine that he will soon decide whether to press Israel to release Marwan Barghouti from prison. Doing so is being portrayed as a step towards an alternative to Hamas and consistent with our interests and efforts to promote peace in Gaza and regionally.

In fact, unleashing Barghouti – a jihadist serving multiple life sentences for his involvement in the murder of five Israelis – would add immeasurably to the narrative that those who are, like him, committed to the destruction of Israel have won. 

A truth-telling briefing by American and Israeli experts yesterday warned of the already-great dangers for both our countries of reinforcing that perception. 

Sharia-supremacists, notably the leaders of so-called “allies” Qatar and Turkey, will simply intensify their double-game of using the President’s “20 Points” deal to pursue what is, in fact, a truly “endless war” against Western civilization. 

This is Frank Gaffney.