Right-wing Israeli minister's video sparks outrage over Palestinian leaders

Right-wing Israeli minister's video sparks outrage over Palestinian leaders

In the Middle East, Israel's far-right security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, released a video this week mocking prominent Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti. The release of this video sparked outrage among Barghouti's supporters. It is the first time in many years that Barghouti, 66, who has been sentenced to five life sentences since 2002 for his role in attacks that killed five Israeli civilians, has been seen in the picture. In the video, he appears pale and weak, his arms tied in front of him as he nods slightly.

Ben Gvir's provocations and the reactions

In the 13 seconds of the video, Ben Gvir provokes Barghouti and denies him that he is dangerous. “Whoever harms the people of Israel, kills children or attacks women, we will wipe them out,” he threatens. Barghouti tries to answer, but is abruptly interrupted: "No, you have to know that, through all time." The video suddenly ends after Ben Gvir posted it on his Telegram channel.

Barghouti's influence and public perception

Polls show Barghouti remains the most popular Palestinian politician. His time in prison has only increased his reverence among Palestinians. Despite his life sentence, many see him as a possible successor to aging Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Barghouti is rarely seen in videos or images, reinforcing his impact and influence on Palestinian society. Many believe he is the only one who could unite Palestinian society behind a single leader.

Attempts at release and the international response

The Palestinians have tried several times to secure his release, including during ceasefire negotiations in the current conflict. However, Israel has always refused to release Barghouti. Following the release of the video, Palestinian officials quickly responded by condemning Ben Gvir's behavior and Barghouti's condition. According to his family and the Palestinian Prisoners' Assistance Association, Barghouti has been held in solitary confinement since the war began on October 7.

Family accounts and the effects of solitary confinement

Barghouti's wife, Fadwa Al Barghouti, said she did not recognize him at first. "Perhaps a part of me does not want to acknowledge everything that your face and your body express," she wrote on a social network. "Marwan, they continue to persecute you, even in the cell where you have lived for two years. The fight against the occupation and its symbols continues with you, and the chains are still on your hands."

Statements from relatives and support for Barghouti

A cousin of Barghouti told CNN the video showed "something extremely horrific." He added that his relative appeared “so thin” and “so weak,” suggesting possible malnutrition in detention. Asked about Ben Gvir's motivation to humiliate Barghouti, Mustafa Barghouti said the far-right minister "did not humiliate Marwan - he humiliated himself." "You cannot humiliate a person who is in custody and living in a cell. In fact, he has embarrassed the Israeli government through his behavior."

Criticism of Ben Gvir's behavior

It remains unclear why Ben Gvir released the video, which appears to have been recorded in a maximum security prison in southern Israel. The security minister is known for his provocative statements and has already served prison sentences for anti-Arab incitement. Palestinian Authority Vice President Hussein Al Sheikh called Ben Gvir's threats "the culmination of psychological, moral and physical acts of terror against prisoners and a violation of international and humanitarian conventions." Raed Abu Al-Humus, the Palestinian Authority's head of prisoners and released prisoners, made clear that he considered Ben Gvir "fully responsible" for Barghouti's life and warned that the threatening visit was a "dangerous sign of Ben Gvir's intentions."