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Ben-Gvir Prison Video of Marwan Barghouti Draws Widespread Condemnation

By showing Barghouti’s frailty in solitary confinement the footage has intensified calls for Red Cross oversight

Israeli National Security Minister and head of Jewish Power party Itamar Ben-Gvir gives a statement to members of the press, ahead of a possible ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Jerusalem, January 16, 2025. REUTERS/Oren Ben Hakoon/File Photo
FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2012, file photo, senior Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti appears at Jerusalem's court. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, File)
Marwan Barghouti was jailed in 2002 for ordering attacks on Israelis during the second intifada
The encounter between the two took place earlier this week at the jail where Marwan Barghouti is being held.

Overview

  • Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video on August 15 revealing his visit to Ganot Prison where he taunted Marwan Barghouti with threats such as “You will not win” and “we will wipe him out.”,
  • The 66-year-old Fatah leader appears visibly thin and frail, reinforcing family and rights groups’ assertions that he has endured prolonged solitary confinement and harsh conditions since October 2023.
  • Palestinian officials labelled the encounter “organised state terrorism” and a direct threat to Barghouti’s life, urging the International Committee of the Red Cross to secure independent access to detainees.
  • Israeli spokespeople confirmed the video’s authenticity but denied that Ben-Gvir threatened Barghouti or that prison staff abused him.
  • The footage has intensified scrutiny of detainee conditions in Israeli prisons and raised questions about oversight as ceasefire and hostage negotiations remain stalled.