Jerusalem should immediately release Marwan Barghouthi, currently serving five life sentences in an Israeli jail, Gideon Ezra, Israel’s minister of environmental protection and a former senior security official told Israel Radio on Tuesday. An Israeli court sentenced Barghouthi for his role in the killings of Israelis in the round of violence, which began in September 2000. Barghouthi is tipped by many to be the next Palestinian leader. A senior figure in Fatah, he headed the younger members of the movement until his capture. Israel has a policy of not releasing prisoners “with blood on their hands.” However, it is said in Jerusalem that Israel prefers to do business with Palestinians who have served time in Israeli jails because it gives an opportunity for secret meetings with the potential Palestinian leaders of tomorrow.