Over 200 cultural figures urge release of abducted Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti

More than 200 leading cultural figures have signed an open letter calling for the release of Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian who has been in Israeli custody for 23 years.

“We express our grave concern at the continuing imprisonment of Marwan Barghouti, his violent mistreatment and denial of legal rights whilst imprisoned. We call upon the United Nations and the governments of the world to actively seek the release of Marwan Barghouti from Israeli prison,” the signatories said on Wednesday.

The diverse group includes renowned writers such as Margaret Atwood, Philip Pullman, Zadie Smith, and Nobel laureate Annie Ernaux, along with actors Sir Ian McKellen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Josh O’Connor, and Mark Ruffalo.

Among the signatories are also broadcaster and former footballer Gary Lineker, as well as musicians Sting, Paul Simon, Brian Eno, and Annie Lennox.

Global campaign calls for release of Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti from Israeli prison

A global effort has been launched to secure the release of prominent Palestinian detainee Marwan Barghouti from Israeli prison.

Barghouti is widely regarded as one of the few political figures capable of uniting different Palestinian factions and reviving prospects for a Palestinian state.

The 66-year-old Palestinian leader has been incarcerated for 23 years following what many legal experts have long described as “a flawed trial.”

He was an elected member of parliament at the time of his arrest and remains one of the most popular political figures among Palestinians, often leading opinion polls as the preferred national leader.

Israel’s refusal to release him—even during the recent prisoner exchange following the October ceasefire in Gaza—seems to stem from concerns not related to security, but rather to the political influence he might wield if released.

There are also discussions among Israeli officials about new legislation that could impose the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners, potentially affecting Barghouti.

The open letter comes amid rising international concerns about Gaza’s future. A recent UN resolution supporting Washington’s proposal for a so-called international stabilization force within the besieged territory has failed to convince countries to send their troops.

Several prominent Palestinian human rights organizations have opposed the resolution, highlighting a complex political landscape that Barghouti would need to navigate if freed.

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Supporters of the campaign aim to echo the global cultural movement that played a crucial role in the release of Nelson Mandela and the international fight against apartheid. Mandela himself said in 2002, “What is happening to Barghouti is the same as what happened to me.”

“History demonstrates that cultural voices can alter the course of politics,” British musician Brian Eno said. “Just as global solidarity fostered the freedom of Nelson Mandela, we all hold the power to hasten the day when Marwan Barghouti is released. His freedom would signify a pivotal moment in this enduring struggle and provide much-needed hope for all of us.”

Israeli prime ninister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to resist such calls unless significant pressure comes from Washington.

In 2004, an Israeli court handed Barghouti five life terms plus 40 years over allegations of involvement in operations during the second intifada. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), an international body, condemned the trial as “seriously flawed.”

Barghouti has repeatedly been held in solitary confinement without necessities and has endured four major acts of torture since 2023, yet he is still believed capable of assuming political leadership if freed.

He has been denied visits from his family for three years, and his lawyers have seen him only five times in two years.

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