Itamar Ben Gvir’s Bold Provocation: What He Said to Palestinian Leader Marwan Barghouti

New footage has surfaced showing Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel’s national security minister, mocking Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian prisoner, during a recent encounter. The video, lasting just 13 seconds, is significant as it is the first public sighting of Barghouti in several years. In it, Ben Gvir boasts that Barghouti will not prevail, stating, “He who messes with the people of Israel… we will wipe him out.”

Barghouti, who has been imprisoned for over two decades, appears older and thinner. He was sentenced to five life terms after being convicted for orchestrating attacks that killed five civilians. Despite his incarceration, polls suggest he remains the most popular Palestinian leader. Many Palestinians support him over the current President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leaders.

The video initially circulated among Ben Gvir’s supporters before being posted on his social media. In response to backlash from Palestinian Authority officials, Ben Gvir defiantly said he would repeat his comments “again and again without apologizing.”

Palestinian rights organizations have expressed concern for Barghouti’s well-being. They report he has been held in solitary confinement since the recent conflict began on October 7, 2023. There have even been allegations of assault against him, which the Israeli prison service has denied.

On social media, reactions have poured in. Supporters view Barghouti as a unifying figure who could negotiate peace with Israel. His wife, Fadwa, encouraged supporters to focus on a moment in the video that displayed his resolve, reinforcing his status as a leader who can bridge political divides.

The complexity of Israeli-Palestinian relations continues to evolve. Barghouti’s case reflects deeper issues of leadership and hope for future negotiations. As both sides grapple with longstanding tensions, figures like Barghouti remain central to ongoing discussions about justice and peace in the region.

For more information on Marwan Barghouti’s political influence and history, you can visit this comprehensive BBC article.

Source link