200 World Celebrities Call For The Release Of Marwan Barghouti Who Was Threatened To Death In Israeli Prison

Marwan Barghouti, senior leader of the Fatah group, who is considered by many to be the Nelson Mandela of Palestine, was arrested by Israel in 2002. (Wikimedia Commons-IDF Spokesperson Unit)

JAKARTA - The wave of calls for the release of Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti, who has been jailed in Israel since 2002, has intensified.

The call is a kind of international campaign that has been followed by more than 200 world celebrities. Starting from Hollywood actors, Javier Bardem, to Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood, providing this support.

Those supporting the call published an open letter on Wednesday encouraging the United Nations (UN) and governments of a number of countries to take action over Israel's efforts to detain more than 23 years of Barghouti.

"We express our deep concern over Marwan Barghouti's continued imprisonment, his cruel ill-treatment, and his rejection of his rights while in prison," reads the open letter, Thursday, December 4, quoted by Al Jazeera.

Barghouti, a senior leader of the Fatah group who is considered by many to be the Nelson Mandela of Palestine, has served five life sentences in Israeli prisons on charges of attacks during the second Intifada, which took place from 2000 to 2005.

Earlier this year, the 66-year-old man was blasphemed directly in his cell in Ganot Prison, Israel, by Israel's National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Barghouti has also repeatedly been the target of brutal attacks while in prison, resulting in physical injuries.

In a video footage broadcast on Israel's TV station, Channel 12 in August 2025, Ben-Gvir can be seen directly intimidating Barghouti.

"You won't win," said Ben-Gvir in Barghouti's cell.

The footage shows Barghouti's first sighting after years of detention. Relatives were shocked by Barghouti's appearance, which is strongly suspected to be due to "gravity and hunger".

In October 2025, Barghouti's son said his father had been beaten badly by Israeli officers during a prison transfer in September 2025. Barghouti is said to have broken four ribs and head injuries.

Fearing Barghouti would die in detention, his family launched the "Free Marwan" campaign, with various events held in various countries, including Britain and France.

The international campaign was then welcomed by more than 200 world celebrities who considered human rights to be enforced.

Barghouti is considered a potential key figure in the formation of a Palestinian state because of his ability to unite various political factions. He is seen by many as the last hope for an independent Palestinian.