Controversial Video Shows Marwan Barghouti’s First Appearance in Years, Sparks Outcry

TEL AVIV, Israel – A video showing prominent Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti for the first time in years has surfaced, sparking widespread discussion and condemnation. The footage, posted by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, depicts him confronting Barghouti in his prison cell.

In the 13-second clip, Ben-Gvir is heard berating Barghouti, stating, “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.” While the exact filming date remains unclear, the video has circulated widely across Israel and the occupied West Bank.

Barghouti, 66, appears visibly frail, pale, and shrunken—a stark contrast to his once robust public image as a popular politician widely considered a potential future leader of the Palestinian Authority. He is currently serving five consecutive life sentences following his 2002 conviction by an Israeli court for his role in planning attacks during the Second Intifada.

Khader Shkirat, one of Barghouti’s lawyers, told NPR he initially did not recognize his client, confirming his identity only after consulting with Barghouti’s wife. Shkirat described the comments from Ben-Gvir as a direct threat and indicated appeals have been made to the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt to ensure Barghouti’s safety.

The emergence of the video comes amidst a significant increase in Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody, with numbers roughly doubling since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. As of August 2025, approximately 10,700 Palestinians are held by Israel, including thousands without trial or charge, according to data from the Israel Prison Service provided to Hamoked, an Israeli human rights group. Palestinian prisoners’ organizations also report 76 Palestinian deaths in Israeli custody over the past 22 months.

Barghouti remains a pivotal figure in potential prisoner exchanges between Hamas and Israel, with officials close to stalled ceasefire talks indicating he is Hamas’s most desired release. Despite his exclusion from previous exchange proposals, Shkirat expressed optimism about Barghouti’s eventual freedom. Ben-Gvir, known for his controversial actions, including a recent open prayer at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound earlier this August, continues to provoke outrage with his anti-Arab platform and calls for Jewish settlements in Gaza and the West Bank.

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