URGENT UPDATE: In a shocking development, over 200 Hollywood A-listers and public figures, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Ruffalo, and Sir Ian McKellen, are leading a campaign to secure the release of Palestinian terrorist Marwan Barghouti, who is serving five consecutive life sentences for orchestrating deadly attacks against Israeli civilians. The petition, which calls on the international community to pressure Israel for Barghouti’s release, has ignited intense debate and backlash.
The petitioners express their “grave concern” over Barghouti’s imprisonment, claiming he faces “violent mistreatment” and a denial of legal rights. They urge the United Nations and world governments to take action, framing Barghouti as a “powerful symbol of unity” in the Palestinian struggle for freedom. The campaign promotes the slogan “Free Marwan,” highlighting Barghouti’s life as a “husband and a father” while omitting critical details of his past.
Barghouti was convicted in 2004 by a Tel Aviv District Court for his role in several attacks during the Second Intifada, which resulted in the deaths of five people, including four Israelis and a Greek monk. His conviction includes his direct involvement in a June 2001 drive-by shooting and a series of bombings that targeted innocent civilians, leading to a sentence of five life terms plus an additional 20 years for a failed suicide bombing.
Despite his criminal record, Barghouti remains popular among Palestinians, often regarded as a potential leader of the Palestinian Authority. However, his supporters’ portrayal of him as a peaceful advocate for a two-state solution has faced scrutiny. A 2017 report from the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center questioned the feasibility of Barghouti as a partner in peace negotiations, suggesting that his release could exacerbate violence rather than promote dialogue.
“Given his criminal terrorist record from the era of the Second Intifada and his extremist views on Israel, releasing him would not contribute to peace negotiations,” the report stated.
The backlash against the Hollywood petition has been fierce. Amit Segal, chief political correspondent for Israel’s Channel 12 News, criticized the campaign, accusing its signatories of “sanitizing the crimes of a serial killer.” He took to social media, stating, “Marwan Barghouti is a cold-blooded mass murderer, responsible for the brutal deaths of dozens of Israelis. To compare him to Nelson Mandela is a grotesque insult to history and humanity.”
As the campaign gains momentum, the implications of Barghouti’s potential release are significant. Analysts warn that it may embolden extremist factions and undermine ongoing peace efforts. The international community is now closely watching the developments surrounding this controversial figure.
This unfolding situation highlights the deep divisions in perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With high-profile figures advocating for Barghouti’s release, the conversation around terrorism, justice, and peace is set to intensify. Stay tuned for further updates as this story evolves.
