New footage shared on social media reveals the far-right Israeli minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, taunting probably the most outstanding Palestinian prisoner, Marwan Barghouti, in his cell.
The Palestinian Authority has condemned the video. Its Vice-President Hussein al-Sheikh described it as “the epitome of psychological, ethical and bodily terrorism.”
The 13-second-long video clip is the primary time that Barghouti has been publicly seen in years. He seems aged and gaunt.
Israel’s nationwide safety minister, Ben Gvir, tells him: “You’ll not win. He who messes with the individuals of Israel, he who will homicide our youngsters, he who will homicide our girls, we’ll wipe him out”.
As Barghouti tries to interject, Ben Gvir provides: “You could know this, all through historical past.”
Marwan Barghouti, 66, was jailed by Israel greater than 20 years in the past after he was convicted of planning assaults that led to 5 civilians being killed. He’s serving 5 life sentences plus 40 years.
Opinion polls have persistently indicated that he stays the preferred Palestinian chief, and that Palestinians would vote for him in a presidential election forward of the present Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas or Hamas leaders.
He stays a senior determine within the Fatah faction, which dominates the Palestinian Authority (PA). He was focused by Israel resulting from his main position within the Second Palestinian Intifada or rebellion from 2000-05.
The video initially surfaced on messaging teams for Ben Gvir’s supporters on Thursday however has now been reposted on his X account.
The minister says that having learn how “all types of “senior officers”” within the PA didn’t like what he stated, he’ll “repeat it repeatedly with out apologising”.
Palestinian prisoner rights organisations say that Barghouti has been positioned in solitary confinement for the reason that lethal Hamas-led assaults on Israel on 7 October 2023. Final 12 months they accused guards of “brutally assaulting” him in his cell which the Israeli jail service denied.
In response to the brand new video, the top of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Membership, Abdullah al-Zaghari accused Israel of looking for “to remove him and assassinate the leaders languishing in its prisons”.
Barghouti is likely one of the prisoners whose launch Hamas is believed to have sought as a part of an trade deal for the remaining hostages it’s holding. Nonetheless, it’s thought not possible that Israel would free him.
Within the video, as Ben Gvir speaks, Barghouti – who’s fluent in Hebrew – will be seen nodding and attempting to interrupt in, however the quick clip ends earlier than he does.
His spouse, Fadwa, really useful to her husband’s followers that just one nonetheless be used from the video which she believed confirmed his power.
Palestinians extensively see Barghouti because the chief who might greatest unify totally different political factions and negotiate peace with Israel.
