Newly surfaced footage circulating on social media depicts Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel’s far-right minister, reportedly taunting Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian prisoner, within his cell.
The Palestinian Authority has issued a strong condemnation of the video. Hussein al-Sheikh, the PA’s Vice-President, characterized the incident as “the epitome of psychological, moral, and physical terrorism.”
The 13-second video clip offers the first public glimpse of Barghouti in several years, revealing a noticeably aged and gaunt appearance.
In the footage, Israel’s National Security Minister Ben Gvir is heard stating to Barghouti: “You will not win. He who messes with the people of Israel, he who will murder our children, he who will murder our women, we will wipe him out.”
As Barghouti attempts to respond, Ben Gvir continues, “You need to know this, throughout history.”
Marwan Barghouti, 66, has been incarcerated by Israel for over two decades, following his conviction for planning attacks that resulted in the deaths of five civilians. He is currently serving five life sentences plus an additional 40 years.
Public opinion polls consistently indicate Barghouti’s enduring popularity among Palestinians, suggesting he would garner more votes than current Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas or Hamas leaders in a presidential election.
Barghouti remains a prominent figure within the Fatah faction, which holds significant influence within the Palestinian Authority (PA). He was targeted by Israel due to his key role in the Second Palestinian Intifada, which spanned from 2000 to 2005.
The video initially appeared on messaging groups associated with Ben Gvir’s supporters on Thursday before being shared on his X account.
The minister stated that, having noted the disapproval expressed by “all sorts of ‘senior officials'” within the PA, he intends to “repeat it again and again without apologising.”
Palestinian prisoner rights organizations report that Barghouti has been held in solitary confinement since the deadly Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. Last year, they accused guards of “brutally assaulting” him in his cell, an allegation denied by the Israeli prison service.
In response to the video, Abdullah al-Zaghari, head of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, accused Israel of seeking “to eliminate him and assassinate the leaders languishing in its prisons.”
Barghouti is reportedly among the prisoners whose release Hamas has sought as part of a potential exchange deal for the remaining hostages in its custody. However, it is considered highly improbable that Israel would agree to his release.
In the video, as Ben Gvir speaks, Barghouti – who is fluent in Hebrew – is seen nodding and attempting to interject, but the short clip concludes before he can do so.
His wife, Fadwa, has advised her husband’s supporters to use only one still image from the video, which she believes showcases his strength.
Palestinians widely regard Barghouti as a leader capable of unifying diverse political factions and facilitating peace negotiations with Israel.
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More than 100 aid organisations say they are increasingly being told they are “not authorised” to deliver supplies.
Mediators say a deal can be pushed through in the weeks before Israel’s planned expansion of the war.
Israel says it targeted correspondent Anas al-Sharif, accusing him of leading a Hamas cell, which he had denied. Israel provided little evidence for the claim.
The countries demanded “immediate, permanent and concrete steps” to facilitate the entry of aid to Gaza.