Over 200 influential figures worldwide have joined forces to advocate for the release of Marwan Barghouti, the imprisoned Palestinian leader widely regarded as the most viable candidate to unite warring factions and bring hope to the stalled process of creating a Palestinian state.
Prominent writers such as Margaret Atwood, Philip Pullman, Zadie Smith, and Annie Ernaux have lent their voices in support. Similarly, prominent actors including Sir Ian McKellen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Josh O'Connor, and Mark Ruffalo, along with musician Sting, Paul Simon, Brian Eno, and Annie Lennox, are among those who have expressed solidarity. Other notable individuals on the list include director Sir Richard Eyre, artist Ai Weiwei, billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, and British cookery writer Delia Smith.
Barghouti, 66, has spent 23 years behind bars following a flawed trial that saw him elected as parliamentarian at the time of his arrest. Despite this lengthy detention, he remains the most popular choice for Palestinian leadership, consistently topping polls.
Israel's continued refusal to release Barghouti appears driven by concerns over his potential influence in shaping unity and momentum towards a two-state solution, rather than any credible threat to Israel's security. Furthermore, new laws that would allow Israel to impose the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners are being pushed forward, potentially affecting Barghouti.
The recent UN resolution calling for an international stabilisation force in Gaza has yet to yield significant support from nations willing to provide troops due to concerns over Hamas's potential involvement and Israel's precondition for withdrawal. This stance is shared by most major Palestinian human rights groups.
In a striking parallel, the campaign for Barghouti's release echoes the cultural movement that led to Nelson Mandela's freedom in South Africa. The parallels have been acknowledged by prominent figures such as British musician Brian Eno, who stated that "history shows us that cultural voices can shift the course of politics."
Prominent writers such as Margaret Atwood, Philip Pullman, Zadie Smith, and Annie Ernaux have lent their voices in support. Similarly, prominent actors including Sir Ian McKellen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Josh O'Connor, and Mark Ruffalo, along with musician Sting, Paul Simon, Brian Eno, and Annie Lennox, are among those who have expressed solidarity. Other notable individuals on the list include director Sir Richard Eyre, artist Ai Weiwei, billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, and British cookery writer Delia Smith.
Barghouti, 66, has spent 23 years behind bars following a flawed trial that saw him elected as parliamentarian at the time of his arrest. Despite this lengthy detention, he remains the most popular choice for Palestinian leadership, consistently topping polls.
Israel's continued refusal to release Barghouti appears driven by concerns over his potential influence in shaping unity and momentum towards a two-state solution, rather than any credible threat to Israel's security. Furthermore, new laws that would allow Israel to impose the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners are being pushed forward, potentially affecting Barghouti.
The recent UN resolution calling for an international stabilisation force in Gaza has yet to yield significant support from nations willing to provide troops due to concerns over Hamas's potential involvement and Israel's precondition for withdrawal. This stance is shared by most major Palestinian human rights groups.
In a striking parallel, the campaign for Barghouti's release echoes the cultural movement that led to Nelson Mandela's freedom in South Africa. The parallels have been acknowledged by prominent figures such as British musician Brian Eno, who stated that "history shows us that cultural voices can shift the course of politics."
I mean, I get what they're saying - he's a unifying figure and all that. But 23 years in prison is a long time, you know? And now Israel is trying to pass laws that would give them more control over Palestinian prisoners... it just feels like they're trying to stonewall any progress on the peace talks.
Newsflash: it doesn't work that way. It takes real diplomacy and compromise, not just a bunch of celebrities tweeting their support.
it's giving me chills thinking about how much history is being rewritten here.
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to release Marwan Barghouti. Like, what's the harm in giving a guy a chance? He's been locked up for 23 years already, and it's clear he's got the support of most Palestinians. I mean, he's consistently winning polls and all, but is Israel really that afraid of him? 
That's just plain cruel.
. The fact that Israel's still dragging its feet on releasing him is really telling about their priorities. And let's be real, the whole situation with Hamas and the UN resolution is super complicated but at the end of the day, someone needs to take a stand for what's right 
. I think its great to see cultural figures like Sting and Annie Lennox using their platforms to make a difference 
. Maybe this campaign can be the catalyst for real change? 
. We need more people like Barghouti and his supporters to bring about real change...
And it's not like he's a threat to Israel's security or anything, just that they don't want him to be all powerful and stuff. 
But seriously, can you imagine having someone as respected as Barghouti leading the Palestinian people? He'd bring so much hope to the situation! 
And it's pretty cool how this movement is drawing parallels with the whole Mandela thing - cultural voices really do have the power to make a difference in politics. 
his release would be a major step towards peace. i feel so sad that israel wont budge and instead wants to impose death penalty on prisoners its like they want to crush hope. its like we r living in different worlds where humans rights r just an afterthought 
I'm so sick of these politicians making decisions for people without even talking to them first! I mean, Barghouti's been locked up for 23 years and still the Israelis are worried about him uniting Palestinians? Like, what's the harm in giving a guy with his level of influence a chance? 
. But at the same time, I'm not surprised they're holding out - Barghouti's got a reputation as a unifier, and that can't be ignored 
A coalition of amazing folks from all over the world coming together to support Marwan Barghouti's release is like, super inspiring 
. I mean, who wouldn't want a unifying leader to bring hope to the Palestinians? It's crazy that his trial was all flawed and he's been in jail for 23 years already 
.