Marwan Barghouti seen in rare video as Israeli minister Ben Gvir threatens him in prison cell

The National

2 days ago

Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti appeared in a video for the first time in many years as Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir threatened him inside his cell.
The undated video shows the far-right minister entering the solitary confinement section of an Israeli prison, confronting a visibly frail Barghouti who is dressed in a plain white T-shirt.
Surrounded by guards and cameras, he says: 'You will not defeat us. Whoever targets the people of Israel and kills our sons and women will be erased. You must know this.'
The short video has provoked outrage. Hussein Al Sheikh, Vice President of Palestine and deputy head of the Palestine Liberation Organisation's Executive Committee, called the incident 'the height of psychological, moral and physical terrorism' against Palestinian prisoners and a breach of international conventions.
Mr Al Sheikh said the move reflected 'unprecedented recklessness' in Israel's treatment of detainees and called for urgent intervention by international organisations to protect them.
Mr Barghouti's wife, Fadwa, said she barely recognised her husband. 'I didn't recognise you or your features, but you remain free despite everything," she wrote on Facebook. Mr Barghouti's appearance has shocked supporters, as he appears markedly older and frail.
The video emerged amid Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks, which in past iterations have included the possible release of Barghouti, the most senior and popular Palestinian prisoner, referred to by supporters as the 'Palestinian Nelson Mandela".
Mr Barghouti was active in confronting the Israeli occupation from a young age, joining Fatah at the age of 15. He was deported by Israel in 1987 and only allowed to return to Palestine in 1993 after the Oslo Accords. As head of Tanzim, Fatah's armed wing, he played a prominent role in the Second Intifada, which began in 2000. He became one of Israel's most wanted men, and in 2002 he was arrested.
In May 2004, Mr Barghouti was convicted of five murders and sentenced to five life terms, charges he has consistently denied. He has been active from prison, calling for Palestinian unity. He speaks Hebrew and has often called for dialogue to end the occupation of Palestine.