Adam-

You really need to go a little beyond MEMRI or similar sources before you pronounce so assuredly about an issue you apparently know little about.

Here are some elementary difficulties with your position:

1. Barghouti was abducted from an occupied area by the occupying force, then transferred for trial to the occupying country. These are contraventions of the both the Geneva Accords and the Oslo Accords.

2. In his preliminary appearance before the court, Barghouti argued that, by virtue of the facts cited in (1), above, the court had no jurisdiction to try him. He further declared that, while not a pacifist, he hoped for peace between both peoples. In response, the presiding judge accused him of orchestrating the killing of children, this before a single witness had been heard from. By their silence, neither of her colleagues deemed this the obvious travesty of judicial dispassion that it clearly was. How'd you like to tried before such an "impartial" court?

3. The trial itself was as stage-managed as the worst Stalinist outrages in the Soviet Union. The government permitted only a small group of journalists from friendly news organizations into the courtroom, along with a diplomat or two and a Knesset member. No civilians save members of a group called "Organization of Terror Victims" were allowed. This is an extreme right-wing, Kach-associated group which was happy to perform their assigned role, shouting at the defendant and unfurling their photos, banners etc on cue.

Adam, if this farce had occurred in any country but Israel, you'd rightly write it off as a travesty of fairness or justice.

Numerous elements in Israeli society, including many, like Shimon Peres, who are to the right of Avnery, realize that Barghouti is a valuable partner in the peace process. Once again, though, we see American Zionists outflanking Israelis themselves in demonizing Palestinian resisters. 

What's Hebrew for, "More Catholic than the Pope"?