JERUSALEM – An Israeli cabinet minister yesterday acknowledged that a Palestinian Arab found guilty of multiple murder might be released as part of a political settlement of the long-running conflict.

While low-level Palestinian political prisoners have been released by Israel in the past, Prime Minister Sharon’s government always said that no pardons would be granted to “those with blood on their hands.”

By suggesting otherwise, Meir Sheetrit, the transport minister, broke an important taboo, indicating a greater willingness to take the difficult steps needed to reach a negotiated settlement with the Palestinians.

Mr. Sheetrit is one of the ministers who joined Mr. Sharon’s new center-right party, Kadima, which political pundits expect to make a determined effort to reach a final settlement with the Palestinian Arabs.

Mr.Sheetrit was referring to Marwan Barghouti, a man regarded by Israelis as a terrorist but by Palestinian Arabs as an inspirational leader. A senior member of the ruling Fatah faction, Barghouti is revered by Palestinian Arabs for organizing the second intifada in the West Bank.

In this weekend’s Fatah faction’s primaries for January’s Palestinian parliamentary elections, Barghouti received 96% of the votes in his West Bank district.

Even though Barghouti is serving life in an Israeli prison after being convicted last year for the deaths of four Israelis and a Greek – charges he denied – during operations he was accused of directing, Mr. Sheetrit said it was possible a pardon could be granted.

“In politics, you should never say never,” he said. “If we are to reach a final peace agreement with the Palestinians, so that terrorism ends and total calm prevails, a pardon could be envisaged.”

Any move by the Israeli government to release convicted murderers would be hugely controversial.

An Israeli government spokesman said there were no plans to release Barghouti.