The most prominent Palestinian prisoner, Marwan Barghouti, was reportedly beaten unconscious by Israeli prison guards on 14 September, according to his family. The 66-year-old, who is serving life for planning deadly attacks against Israelis, was allegedly assaulted by eight guards during a transfer between Ganot and Megiddo prisons.
The Israel Prison Service has refuted these claims, stating the allegations are false and asserting that it operates under the law while ensuring the safety and health of all inmates. However, Barghouti's son, Arab, reported that the family had received testimonies from five separate detainees who corroborated Barghouti's account of the attack, resulting in a sense of horror within the family.
According to Arab, Barghouti was handcuffed, placed on the floor, and subjected to kicks and blows, specifically to the head, chest, and legs. The attack left him unconscious for hours, resulting in bleeding and difficulty walking. Arab believes this assault occurred during a period when there were no surveillance cameras monitoring the transfer between the two prisons in Israel.
Currently, Barghouti serves five life sentences plus an additional 40 years after being convicted in 2004 for orchestrating attacks that resulted in civilian casualties. As part of a recent prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas, the detainees who reported the assault were released.
Barghouti's name has been notably prominent in discussions regarding prisoner releases tied to ongoing negotiations, as he is viewed by many as a unifying figure among Palestinians across various factions. His political influence is underscored by consistent opinion polls showing he is the most favored potential leader among Palestinians, surpassing both current Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leaders.
Despite being imprisoned under harsh conditions, including solitary confinement since October 2023, Barghouti retains significant support. Reactions from Israeli officials have largely opposed his claims, with far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir asserting he is proud of the restraints placed on Barghouti. Public sentiments regarding Barghouti's treatment and overall Palestinian leadership continue to evoke public discourse in the region.
The Israel Prison Service has refuted these claims, stating the allegations are false and asserting that it operates under the law while ensuring the safety and health of all inmates. However, Barghouti's son, Arab, reported that the family had received testimonies from five separate detainees who corroborated Barghouti's account of the attack, resulting in a sense of horror within the family.
According to Arab, Barghouti was handcuffed, placed on the floor, and subjected to kicks and blows, specifically to the head, chest, and legs. The attack left him unconscious for hours, resulting in bleeding and difficulty walking. Arab believes this assault occurred during a period when there were no surveillance cameras monitoring the transfer between the two prisons in Israel.
Currently, Barghouti serves five life sentences plus an additional 40 years after being convicted in 2004 for orchestrating attacks that resulted in civilian casualties. As part of a recent prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas, the detainees who reported the assault were released.
Barghouti's name has been notably prominent in discussions regarding prisoner releases tied to ongoing negotiations, as he is viewed by many as a unifying figure among Palestinians across various factions. His political influence is underscored by consistent opinion polls showing he is the most favored potential leader among Palestinians, surpassing both current Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leaders.
Despite being imprisoned under harsh conditions, including solitary confinement since October 2023, Barghouti retains significant support. Reactions from Israeli officials have largely opposed his claims, with far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir asserting he is proud of the restraints placed on Barghouti. Public sentiments regarding Barghouti's treatment and overall Palestinian leadership continue to evoke public discourse in the region.
