An Israeli court has convicted Marwan Barghouthi of murder over the killing of 26 people by militants.
The 44-year-old West Bank legislator was widely believed to be a possible successor to President Yasser Arafat. Arrested in 2002, Barghouthi denied orchestrating attacks against Israelis.
He has expressed pride in resistance to Israeli occupation while declaring his opposition to what he called 'the killing of innocents'.
Supporters had said that if Barghouthi was found guilty, it would bolster him even more among the Palestinian public.
Once in favour of pragmatic relations with Israel, he became known for his fiery rhetoric after the Palestinian revolt erupted in 2000.
