Far-right Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has aggressively confronted Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian political leader imprisoned since 2002, in his solitary confinement cell at Ganot prison in a highly condemnable move.
Barghouti is widely regarded as a unifying figure within the Palestinian community. He was visibly distressed during the encounter monitored by guards and cameras, Drop Site reported on Thursday.
During the confrontation, Ben Gvir blatantly said to Barghouti: “Whoever messes with the people of Israel, whoever murders our children, whoever murders our women, we will obliterate them. You will not defeat us.”
BREAKING: Surrounded by guards and cameras, Israel’s extremist minister Itamar Ben Gvir stormed the solitary confinement cell of Marwan Barghouti — the most popular Palestinian political leader and a unifying national figure, imprisoned since 2002 — in “Ganot” prison, to threaten… https://t.co/Bnbik6IJaP
— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) August 14, 2025
The intimidating message has drawn immediate condemnation from Palestinian rights advocates and political officials, who view it as a direct threat to Barghouti’s life.
Raed Abu al-Hummus, head of the Palestinian Prisoners’ and Ex-Prisoners’ Affairs Commission, condemned Ben Gvir’s actions, characterizing them as a public threat that reflects the dangerous intentions of a minister known for his history of inciting violence against Palestinians.
“Ben Gvir has tortured prisoners in front of cameras, and he has many previous offenses filled with hatred and racism. For him to dare to attack a leader of the stature of Abu al-Qassam is a clear violation of all red lines, and we are concerned for his life," Abu al-Hummus stated.
He called for urgent action from both Palestinians and international bodies to safeguard Barghouti.
Barghouti, who is serving five life sentences for his role in Palestinian resistance efforts, has remained a significant figure in Palestinian politics.
Despite his imprisonment, he commands widespread support among Palestinians and is seen as a potential leader capable of unifying divided factions.
His release has been a longstanding request from resistance groups and is perceived as a threat to the current leadership of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
In May 2024, senior officials from the Palestinian Authority, including Hussein al-Sheikh, the top liaison with Israel, indicated to mediators that they were not in favor of Barghouti’s release.
The family of Marwan Barghouti expressed grave concerns over his safety following the threat from Ben Gvir.
They conveyed to Al Jazeera their fears that he could be executed in his cell as a result of the Israeli minister’s aggressive stance.
“We are also shocked by the changes in his facial features and the exhaustion and hunger he is experiencing,” they emphasized.
Fadwa Barghouti, Marwan’s wife and a well-known Palestinian lawyer and activist, shared her thoughts on social media, expressing her deep concern and emotional turmoil over Marwan's condition.
“It’s true — I didn’t recognize you, nor could I make out your features. Maybe part of me doesn’t want to acknowledge everything your face and body express, and what you and the other prisoners have endured,” she wrote.
Fadwa continued to affirm her husband’s spirit and dedication to the Palestinian cause, stating, “You are of the people; wherever you are, you are among them, from them, part of them. Your fate is bound to theirs.”
As tensions continue to escalate, the implications of Ben Gvir's threats against Barghouti and the broader context of Palestinian rights remain critical issues in the region.
