"I knew that the end of the month of September [2000] would be the last opportunity before the explosion, but when Sharon arrived at the Al Aqsa Mosque it was the strongest (most suitable) moment for the breakout of the Intifada. This is because the subject concerns Jerusalem, and even more it regards Al Aqsa. The meaning of this - setting fire to the entire region and specifically [due to the fact] that the issue of Al Aqsa inflames and ignites the sensibilities of the masses."

...

I saw within the situation a historic opportunity to ignite the conflict. The strongest conflict is the one that initiated from Jerusalem due to the sensitivity of the city, its uniqueness and its special place in the hearts of the masses who are willing to sacrifice themselves [for her] with not even thinking of the cost.

 

During the second Intifada, Barghouthi organized the Tanzim and Al-Aqsa Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and was a central figure in the "National and Islamic Front which included extremist Fatah activists, extreme Marxist PLO factions such as the DFLP and PFLP, and the Islamist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad, groups that do not belong the the PLO. Al-Aqsa martyrs brigades were responsible for numerous terror hits in Israel and was identified as a terrorist group by the US State Department.  Barghouthi was captured by Israel in March of 2002, tried and convicted of the murders of five people on June 6, 2004, and sentenced to 5 consecutive life sentences. He claimed he did not recognize the jurisdiction of the court.

According to Palestinian sources, Barghouthi considers any Palestinian who bargains over the 1967 borders a traitor, and believes that this issue may lead to the destruction of the Palestinian people. In a Washington Post article, Barghouthi claimed he advocates recognition of Israel, and a peace solution based on 1967 borders and a "just solution" of the refugee problem based on UN resolutions, without mentioning the right of return specifically. Barghouthi does not consider that the US can be an impartial mediator and would favor European intervention.