Among the thousands of Palestinians locked up in Israel's jails is Marwan Barghouti, leader of the first and second intifadas. Barghouti survived an Israeli assassination attempt in 2001 only to be arrested and charged with terrorist violence. At his trial, he refused to present a defense in protest of the illegitimate charges brought against him by the Israeli authorities.

Detained in abusive conditions since 2002, Barghouti is serving five life sentences plus forty years.

Most Israelis see him as a terrorist, but on the Palestinian street, he is known as "the Palestinian Mandela."

Like Mandela, Barghouti has fought against military occupation and apartheid by violent and non-violent means. He has advocated cooperation between neighboring peoples. And he has endured inhumane and degrading treatment at the hands of his jailers.

Mandela spent 27 years in prison. Barghouti has weathered 22.

In the name of justice and reconciliation, We the People of the World demand Israeli authorities release Barghouti.

Recent polls show he would beat Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in an open election. He has what it takes to unite his people and lead them towards a state alongside Israel.

He is the secret sauce to a beautiful new reality in the Middle East.