Meretz MK Haim Oron, Barghouti held talks

Channel 2 says the talks were one of the channels that led to cease-fire.

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
barghouti prison 298.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
barghouti prison 298.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
Channel 2 revealed on Monday night that one of the channels of dialogue that helped bring about the cease-fire came through Meretz MK Haim Oron, who delivered messages from the Prime Minister's Office to imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti. Oron would not confirm or deny the report but a source close to him said he has been meeting regularly for two years with Barghouti, who is serving a life sentence for his role in murdering Israelis during the second Intifada. The source said Oron on several occasions delivered messages back and forth between Barghouti and his predecessor, Ariel Sharon. For instance, Barghouti was involved in shaping what became known as "the Palestinian prisoners document," and he asked Oron to relay its details to the Prime Minister's Office. A spokesman for Olmert, however, said that the Prime Minister did not need Oron to deliver messages to Barghouti.