Foreign Policy Magazine has included Palestinian politician and human rights activist, Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, in its 2011 list of “Top 100 Global Thinkers.”

 Dr. Barghouti has been chosen "for.

Pioneering an alternative path that emphasizes nonviolent tactics to delegitimize the Israeli occupation"

According to Foreign Policy Magazine, the list "presents a unique portrait of 2011's global marketplace of ideas and the thinkers who make them." It includes a wide variety of personalities who have contributed significantly to world affairs in areas ranging from politics to art and social media. 

Dr Barghouti, cofounder of the Palestinian National Initiative (PNI), is recognised "because more than anyone else he has pioneered an alternative path that emphasises nonviolent tactics to delegitimize the Israeli Occupation."

In the statement released, Foreign Policy stresses the role of innovator that Dr Barghouti has played within the Palestinian political arena and credits his party, the PNI, with widening the choice of the Palestinian electorate in the 2005 Presidential Elections.

 Foreign Policy also pays tribute to Dr. Barghouti's role in the now famous 'unity talks', which put the long-term interest of Palestine above party politics. 

Dr. Barghouti had made his political stance on the topic clear in an interview with Foreign Policy at the time, "democracy was the first victim of the split," he had said. "That's wrong for internal life in Palestine, it's wrong for the future of our kids and it's wrong for peace."

 The innovative thinking behind Dr Barghouti's policies and strategy is once again cited on the subject of the Palestinian bid for member-status at the UN. Foreign Policy credits Dr. Barghouti with "framing the move as 'diplomatic resistance' to Israel."  Once again recognising Dr. Barghouti's ground breaking thinking on matters often approached from conventional angles.

 As Foreign Policy hints in its statement on Dr. Barghouti's nomination, the transparent and democratic approach he champions may well be what finally delivers the Palestinians their national dream - a state of their own.