The Palestinian Minister of Detainees and Ex-detainees Issa Qaraqi’ and the “Free Marwan Al-Barghouthi Campaign’ said that the agents of Israeli internal intelligence agency Shin Bet and guards of Hadarim Prison, near central Israeli city Netanya, raided Al-Barghouthi’s room and jailed him alone in a cell in the prison’s separation wing.

Qaraqi’ said that the IPS took the decision “after recommendations from high-ranking Israeli officials.” He described that the move as “punishment” for Al-Barghouthi for the remarks he made during a hearing session at the Jerusalem Magistrates’ Court.

Al-Barghouthi was brought to the court on Wednesday to testify in a US civil suit filed by the family of an American “terror victim.” The lawsuit claims that al-Barghouthi, the Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority “solicited, encouraged, permitted and advised” the other defendants to commit the shooting attack act that killed Esther Kleinman.

The Fatah leader refused to give testimony, saying that he does not recognize the authority of the Israeli court.

Before entering the courtroom, he said that “the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will end once Israel withdraws to the 1967 lines.”

He also welcomed the events of the Arab Spring, saying “the results of the revolutions in the Arab world are bound to be good for the Palestinian people. The Palestinians will enjoy better support for their peaceful resistance.”

Israeli security sources said Al-Barghouthi violated prison rules by giving a lengthy media interview.

Al-Barghouthi, who has headed every prisoner release list demanded by the Palestinian Authority and Hamas in negotiations with Israel, was sentenced in an Israeli court to five life sentences in 2004 for masterminding attacks that killed five Israelis and wounded many more.

A recent Palestinian poll found that the jailed Fatah leader is the most popular successor to President Mahmoud Abbas if the latter insists on not running for the presidential elections scheduled for next May.

Abbas told members of his Fatah’s Central Committee that “he will not seek reelection for another term.” The Palestinian president asked the committee to agree upon another movement’s candidate and to make serious preparation for the elections.