Israeli minister Ben-Gvir confronts Marwan Barghouti in provocative prison cell raid

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has launched a new provocation, this time targeting Marwan Barghouti, a symbolic figure of the Palestinian resistance and a member of the Fatah Movement, by raiding the cell where he is being held. Ben-Gvir threatened Barghouti, who has been held in poor conditions for 23 years and appeared significantly weakened.

In the footage, Ben-Gvir is heard telling the visibly frail Barghouti, “You will not be the winner. We will destroy anyone who deals with the nation of Israel, who kills our children and our women. You should know this; it has always been this way in history.”

This was Barghouti’s first appearance in over 10 years. His family states that he has been held in solitary confinement since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and has been repeatedly and severely beaten by guards. The Israel Prison Service denies these allegations.

As Ben-Gvir speaks, Barghouti appears to try to interject, but the short video ends at that point.

Accompanying Ben-Gvir on the visit was Kobi Yaakobi, the head of the Israel Prison Service, who is allegedly under investigation for covering up settler violence in the West Bank.

Marwan Barghouti, 66, has been in prison since 2002. He was sentenced to five life sentences and 40 years in prison for his involvement in planning attacks that led to the deaths of five civilians during the Second Intifada.

Following the release of the raid footage, Barghouti’s family issued a written statement, saying, “We were shocked by the change in Marwan’s facial features, the fatigue, and the hunger he has endured. We are seriously concerned about his health in prison and fear for his life.”

Barghouti’s wife, Fadwa Barghouti, stated that she had difficulty recognizing her husband in the footage. “Perhaps I do not want to accept what his face and body are telling, what you and the other prisoners are going through,” she said.

Fadwa Barghouti emphasized that her husband is still being targeted and oppressed in the solitary confinement cell where he has lived for two years, adding, “Marwan, even if they keep you in chains, I know your spirit and your determination. You will be free, free, free…”

Considered a potential successor to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and a high-ranking figure in the Fatah movement, there have been calls for Barghouti’s release for years, with hostage exchange proposals being raised, but Israel opposes the idea.

In a written statement regarding the raid, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that this act was evaluated within the context of the “crimes of genocide, forced displacement, and annexation” to which Palestinian prisoners and the public are subjected.

The statement included the words, “The raid on Barghouti’s cell and the threats made are an unprecedented provocation and organized state terrorism.”

Hussein al-Sheikh, an aide to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, described the released footage as “the pinnacle of psychological, moral, and physical terror against prisoners” and said it was a violation of international law and humanitarian norms. Al-Sheikh stated, “This situation is an unprecedented escalation in the occupation’s policy against Palestinian prisoners. International organizations and institutions must intervene immediately.”