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Over 200 public figures call for the release of Marwan Barghouti

Yesterday 07:40

By: Sahili Aya

Over 200 public figures call for the release of Marwan Barghouti

More than 200 international cultural and public figures — including French Nobel laureate Annie Ernaux, Spanish actor Javier Bardem, and British musician Sting — have signed an open letter urging the release of Palestinian political leader Marwan Barghouti, who has been imprisoned in Israel since 2002.

Barghouti, 66, a senior figure of Fatah, is widely known for advocating a political resolution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Often referred to by supporters as the “Palestinian Mandela,” he has built a reputation for opposing corruption and is frequently mentioned as a potential successor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The letter, reviewed by AFP, brings together prominent actors such as Josh O’Connor, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Justine Triet, as well as musicians including Irish rock band Fontaines D.C. and Sting. Best-selling authors Sally Rooney and Margaret Atwood, along with former football stars Eric Cantona and Gary Lineker, also added their names.

“We express our deep concern over the ongoing detention of Marwan Barghouti, his mistreatment, and the denial of his legal rights in prison,” the signatories wrote, calling on the United Nations and world governments to “actively work” toward securing his release.

The initiative is part of the international “Free Marwan” campaign led by Barghouti’s family. Many of the signatories have previously spoken out against the war in Gaza.

Barghouti was sentenced by an Israeli court to five life terms for his alleged involvement in deadly attacks during the second intifada (2000–2005). Israel has repeatedly refused to include him in prisoner exchanges conducted since the start of the Gaza war, triggered by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

His family says his conditions in detention have deteriorated. In October, his son reported that Barghouti was severely beaten during a prison transfer. Earlier in August, far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben Gvir published a video confronting Barghouti in his cell, where he appeared visibly weakened.