Marwan Barghouti, often referred to as 'Palestine's Mandela', is a Palestinian political leader and prisoner serving multiple life sentences in an Israeli jail.
In a significant development, Marwan Barghouti, the most senior Palestinian leader currently in prison, has released a 255-page book, secretly written behind bars and smuggled out via lawyers and family members.
Born in the village of Kobar, Ramallah, on June 6, 1959, Barghouti rose to fame as a grassroots youth leader during the First Intifada in 1987. He served as a Fatah leader and was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council in 1996. During the Second Intifada, which began in September 2000, Barghouti played a prominent role, leading the Tanzim faction within Fatah and advocating resistance against Israeli occupation while opposing attacks on Israeli civilians inside Israel proper.
Despite being arrested and sentenced by Israel in 2004 for involvement in attacks and receiving five life terms, Barghouti remains an extremely popular figure among Palestinians. He is seen as a unifying leader acceptable to different Palestinian factions, including Fatah and Hamas, and even respected by some Israeli and international actors due to his commitment to a negotiated two-state solution.
Barghouti is often compared to Nelson Mandela by local press and supporters. His political significance lies in his leadership role within Fatah's armed and political wings, his popular support as a figure of resistance and pragmatism, and his potential to shape the future trajectory of Palestinian politics.
In a poll by the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research, 36% of participants opted for Barghouti as a successor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Mahmoud Abbas, now 88 and widely seen as an unpopular leader, is unlikely to still be leading the Palestinian Authority in any political settlement. A poll found that in a presidential race, Barghouti would surpass Abbas.
On Friday, Marwan Barghouti appeared in a video for the first time in many years, recorded in a solitary confinement section of an Israeli prison, dressed in a plain white T-shirt. The video came as a sign of hope for many Palestinians who see Barghouti as a viable successor to Abbas.
In the video, Itamar Ben Gvir, the Israeli National Security Minister, was reported to have threatened Barghouti. However, the specifics of the threat remain unclear.
The hunger strike in 2017 by over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, ordered by Barghouti, is believed to have a subtext behind it. The exact purpose of the strike remains a subject of debate, but it underscores Barghouti's continued influence within the Palestinian community.
In 2013, the campaign for Barghouti's release was launched from Nelson Mandela's old cell on Robben Island in South Africa. The campaign highlights the parallels drawn between Barghouti and Mandela, both being iconic figures of resistance and political prisoners.
Barghouti's book, his recent video appearance, and the ongoing campaign for his release have reignited discussions about his role in Palestinian politics and his potential future as a leader. Despite being in prison, Barghouti continues to be a significant figure in the Palestinian struggle for self-determination and a two-state peace solution.
- Marwan Barghouti, currently imprisoned in Israel, has recently released a book secretly written behind bars, stirring discussions about his role in Palestinian politics and future as a leader.
- The video of Barghouti, recorded within an Israeli prison, has brought hope to many Palestinians who see him as a viable successor to President Mahmoud Abbas.
- In the Middle East politics, Barghouti is often compared to Nelson Mandela, both being iconic figures of resistance and political prisoners.
- The 2017 hunger strike led by Barghouti, involving over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, underscores his continued influence within the Palestinian community.
- Though Barghouti is a controversial figure due to his involvement in attacks and subsequent sentencing by Israel, he maintains a significant following among Palestinians and even garners respect from some Israeli and international actors.
- The ongoing campaign for Barghouti's release, launched from Nelson Mandela's old cell on Robben Island in Africa, highlights the potential for a geopolitical shift in the Middle East, especially concerning Israel, Palestine, and the ongoing war-and-conflicts in the region.
