Palestinian officials have strongly condemned far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s taunting visit to the jail cell of long-imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti. Footage of the visit, shared on social media, showed Ben-Gvir making threatening remarks to the 66-year-old, who has been in prison since 2002, including years in solitary confinement.
During the confrontation, Ben-Gvir told Barghouti, “You won’t win. Whoever messes with the nation of Israel, whoever murders our children and women – we will wipe them out.” He added, “You should know this, [this happened] throughout history.” The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the incident “in the strongest terms”, describing Ben-Gvir’s actions as “an unprecedented provocation and organised state terrorism, falling within the framework of the crimes of genocide, displacement, and annexation faced by the prisoners and our people”.
Barghouti’s wife, Fadwa, expressed deep concern and emotional turmoil over her husband’s condition, stating, “They are still, Marwan, chasing you and pursuing you even in the solitary cell you’ve been living in for two years, and the struggle of the occupation and its figures with you continues. The shackles are on your hands, but I know your spirit and determination, and I know you will remain free, free, free.” She also highlighted the inhumane treatment Palestinian prisoners face behind bars.
The visit has sparked fears for Barghouti’s safety, with relatives expressing concern over his “shocking” appearance, apparently due to “exhaustion and hunger”. His family and rights groups have stated that he has been in solitary confinement since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023. The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society has accused Israeli prison staff of “brutally assaulting” and injuring Barghouti while in solitary confinement, although these claims have been denied by the Israel Prisons Service.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with Palestinian prisoner organizations warning of a potential “silent execution” of Barghouti. The international community is urged to take immediate action to protect Barghouti and other Palestinian prisoners subjected to inhumane treatment and systematic abuse in Israeli prisons.