Tel Aviv, Aug 14: Raising his cuffed hands triumphantly, Marwan Barghouti, one of the most visible leaders of the Palestinian uprising, was led into an Israeli court today to stand trial on charges he orchestrated widespread terror attacks that killed scores of Israelis. ``The uprising will victorious,'' Barghouti shouted in Hebrew to a packed courtroom before proceedings began.
Barghouti, 43, wore a dark brown prison uniform and gestured excitedly as he held an impromptu news conference in three languages- Hebrew, Arabic and English- before being dragged away by guards.
In the first major court case against a Palestinian leader, Israel will try to show that senior Palestinian authority officials were involved in violence against Israelis.
Barghouti's lawyers said they want to use the trial draw the world's attention to Israel 's actions as an occupying power.
Barghouti, leader of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement in the West Bank, said today he continued to support a peace deal with Israel.
``I am a peaceful man,'' he said. ``I was trying to do everything for peace between the two peoples. I believe the best solution is two states for two peoples ... The policy of occupation will not lead to security. Security will only be achieved in one way, by peace, and peace will only be achieved by the end of the occupation.''

In the early days of the uprising, Barghouti, a member of the Palestinian Parliament, delivered fiery speeches during street protests. He maintains he is only a politician, but Israel says he was the key figure in organising attacks by members of the al Aqsa martyrs' brigade, an affiliate of Fatah.

Bureau Report