Imprisoned Palestinian uprising leader submits independent list for parliamentary elections in a blow to President Abbas

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — A popular Palestinian uprising leader imprisoned by Israel has submitted an independent list of candidates to run in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The move deals a tough blow to President Mahmoud Abbas. The last-minute move by Marwan Barghouti could severely weaken the prospects of Abbas’ Fatah party in the election and boost the Islamic militant Hamas group. The election is scheduled for May. Barghouti is a popular figure in the Fatah movement, and opinion polls have suggested that his independent list would split the Fatah vote, potentially leaving Hamas as the biggest faction in parliament.