New footage on social media shows far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben Gvir taunting prominent Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti in his cell. The Palestinian Authority condemned the video, with Vice-President Hussein al-Sheikh calling it “psychological, moral and physical terrorism.”
The 13-second video shows Barghouti, appearing aged and gaunt, as Ben Gvir tells him: “You will not win. He who messes with the people of Israel, who murders our children and women, we will wipe him out.” As Barghouti tries to respond, Ben Gvir adds: “You need to know this, throughout history.”
Marwan Barghouti, 66, has been jailed by Israel for over 20 years, convicted of planning attacks that killed five civilians, serving five life sentences plus 40 years. He remains the most popular Palestinian leader in opinion polls, ahead of President Mahmoud Abbas or Hamas leaders.
A senior figure in the Fatah faction, he was targeted by Israel for his role in the Second Palestinian Intifada from 2000-05. The video, initially posted on messaging groups for Ben Gvir’s supporters, was later reposted on his X account. Ben Gvir says he will “repeat it again and again without apologising,” despite backlash from PA officials.
Palestinian prisoner rights groups claim Barghouti was placed in solitary confinement since Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, and accused guards of assaulting him last year, which the Israeli prison service denied.
In response to the video, Abdullah al-Zaghari of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club accused Israel of seeking to “eliminate him and assassinate leaders in its prisons.” Barghouti is among prisoners Hamas reportedly seeks to release in an exchange deal for hostages, though it’s unlikely Israel would free him.
In the clip, as Ben Gvir speaks, Barghouti can be seen nodding and trying to interject, but the video ends before he does. His wife, Fadwa, advised followers to use a still from the video showing his strength. Palestinians view Barghouti as the leader capable of unifying political factions and negotiating peace with Israel.