US EditionOver 200 Celebrities Call on Israel to Release Palestinian Marwan Barghouti
The letter warns that new Israeli legislation could impose the death penalty on Barghouti, a leader favored by Palestinians and compared to Nelson Mandela.
- On Wednesday, over 200 prominent cultural figures spanning literature, film, music, art and activism signed an open letter urging Marwan Barghouti's release and raising alarm over proposed Israeli death penalty legislation for Palestinian prisoners.
- Barghouti was abducted long ago and remains imprisoned, the letter notes, and his exclusion from the recent prisoner swap has been widely interpreted as political to limit his influence.
- Among the signatories were world-renowned writers and actors including Margaret Atwood, Philip Pullman, Benedict Cumberbatch and Sir Ian McKellen, while campaigners drew parallels with Nelson Mandela's global movement after Barghouti received five life sentences in 2004.
- The letter urged the United Nations and governments of the world to `actively seek his release` and expressed `grave concern` about Barghouti's imprisonment, mistreatment and denial of legal rights.
- Barghouti's standing as a unifying figure and reports of mistreatment together raise the stakes, as his son alleges four broken ribs and Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir filmed threats.
24 Articles
24 Articles
Cited as a possible successor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, this former 66-year-old Fatah cadre has been imprisoned in Israel since 2002.
More than 200 celebrities, including the French writer and Nobel Prize winner Annie Ernaux, Spanish actor Javier Bardem or singer Sting, asked Wednesday in an open letter for the release of Marwan Barghouti, Palestinian leader imprisoned in Israel since 2002.
Over 200 celebrities call on Israel to release Palestinian Marwan Barghouti
PARIS: More than 200 celebrities, including actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Josh O’Connor, called on Israel on Wednesday to release imprisoned Palestinian politician Marwan Barghouti, who is seen by supporters as a key unifying figure.
The High Point Enterprise
Celebrities back 'Free Marwan' campaign for Palestinian leader
More than 200 celebrities, including actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Josh O’Connor, called on Israel on Wednesday to release imprisoned Palestinian politician Marwan Barghouti, who is seen by supporters as a key unifying figure.
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