Civil rights group the Legal Forum for the Land of Israel asked Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein Tuesday to investigate Marwan Barghouti, following the security prisoner´s calls Monday for Palestinian civil resistance.

Former Fatah and al-Aqsa Brigades leader Barghouti has been in prison since 2002 and is serving five life sentences for the murder of five people, plus an additional 40 years for attempted murder.

In a message read to a crowd of supporters in Ramallah to commemorate his tenth year in prison, Barghouti said that the "launch of large- scale popular resistance at this stage serves the cause of our people."

Barghouti called for "stopping all forms of security and economic coordination [with Israel] in all areas immediately," which would upend years of often volatile but persistent coexistence between Israel and the PA.

Attorney Hila Cohen of the Legal Forum slammed Barghouti´s remarks and said the security prisoner had in effect called for an intifada.

Cohen asked Weinstein to order an investigation against the security prisoner for "incitement, sedition, preaching on behalf of an illegal organization, encouraging terror and making statements that endanger Israel´s national security."

Barghouti had violated the Penal Code and the Prevention of Terrorism Act, she said.

Cohen added that Barghouti´s position as a former senior figure in Fatah´s military faction, the Tanzim militia, his calls were "very influential on his audience, increasing morale and justifications for them to continue in their path and carry out assaults."

Reuters contributed to this report (© 1995-2011, The Jerusalem Post 03/27/12)