A recent encounter between Israeli Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti has intensified ongoing tensions. The 13-second video of Ben Gvir has been condemned by Palestinian leadership, inflating the already strained atmosphere surrounding Israeli-Palestinian relations.
Far-right Israeli Minister Provokes Palestinian Leader Amid Tensions
Far-right Israeli Minister Provokes Palestinian Leader Amid Tensions
Video of Itamar Ben Gvir's confrontation with Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti sparks outrage.
In the newly surfaced footage shared on social media, Ben Gvir, Israel's national security minister, confronts Marwan Barghouti, the most well-known Palestinian prisoner. Describing the video as "psychological, moral and physical terrorism," the Palestinian Authority has voiced their condemnation of Ben Gvir's behavior.
The controversial video marks the first time Barghouti has been publicly visible in years. He appears older and thinner, a reflection of his prolonged incarceration. While Ben Gvir berates Barghouti in the video, stating, "You will not win... we will wipe him out," Barghouti, who has been serving five life sentences for charges related to attacks leading to civilian deaths, attempts to interject.
Marwan Barghouti, now 66, is a key figure in the Fatah faction and remains highly regarded among Palestinians. Polls suggest he commands greater support among the populace than the current Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Having been imprisoned for over two decades, he has been a central figure during the Second Palestinian Intifada, igniting ongoing disputes regarding his release or potential exchange amid the current hostilities.
Palestinian prisoner rights organizations, voicing concerns over Barghouti's treatment, claim he has been in solitary confinement since the outbreak of violence initiated by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Barghouti's wife, Fadwa, has encouraged supporters to focus on one particular frame of the footage, symbolizing her husband's resilience.
The provocative nature of Ben Gvir's remarks has inevitably drawn backlash; he maintains he will continue to express such sentiments despite disapproval from Palestinian officials. Meanwhile, observers note that releasing Barghouti amid negotiations surrounding hostage exchanges remains a contentious and unlikely possibility.
The controversial video marks the first time Barghouti has been publicly visible in years. He appears older and thinner, a reflection of his prolonged incarceration. While Ben Gvir berates Barghouti in the video, stating, "You will not win... we will wipe him out," Barghouti, who has been serving five life sentences for charges related to attacks leading to civilian deaths, attempts to interject.
Marwan Barghouti, now 66, is a key figure in the Fatah faction and remains highly regarded among Palestinians. Polls suggest he commands greater support among the populace than the current Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Having been imprisoned for over two decades, he has been a central figure during the Second Palestinian Intifada, igniting ongoing disputes regarding his release or potential exchange amid the current hostilities.
Palestinian prisoner rights organizations, voicing concerns over Barghouti's treatment, claim he has been in solitary confinement since the outbreak of violence initiated by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Barghouti's wife, Fadwa, has encouraged supporters to focus on one particular frame of the footage, symbolizing her husband's resilience.
The provocative nature of Ben Gvir's remarks has inevitably drawn backlash; he maintains he will continue to express such sentiments despite disapproval from Palestinian officials. Meanwhile, observers note that releasing Barghouti amid negotiations surrounding hostage exchanges remains a contentious and unlikely possibility.
