Israeli Minister Confronts Palestinian Leader During Prison Visit

A video that circulated widely on Friday captures a confrontation between Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and imprisoned Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti. In the footage, Ben-Gvir chastises Barghouti, stating that anyone who acts against Israel will be “wiped out.” This incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding Palestinian leadership and Israeli security policies.

Marwan Barghouti is currently serving five life sentences following his conviction for involvement in attacks during the second Palestinian uprising, or intifada, in the early 2000s. Despite his imprisonment, polls consistently indicate that he is the most popular leader among Palestinians. Barghouti, now in his mid-60s, has been largely absent from public view since his arrest more than two decades ago.

While the exact date of the video is unclear, it features Ben-Gvir telling Barghouti that he will “not win.” He added, “Anyone who messes with the people of Israel, anyone who murders our children, anyone who murders our women, we will wipe them out.” Ben-Gvir shared the video on the social media platform X, emphasizing his views. A spokesman for Ben-Gvir confirmed the authenticity of the video but denied any implication of threatening Barghouti.

Barghouti was a senior figure in President Mahmoud Abbas‘s secular Fatah movement during the intifada and is viewed by many Palestinians as a potential successor to Abbas, who is often considered unpopular among the populace. The Israeli government categorizes Barghouti as a terrorist and has shown no indications of considering his release. Meanwhile, Hamas has demanded Barghouti’s release in exchange for hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack that sparked renewed conflict in the Gaza Strip.

In response to the video, Barghouti’s wife, Fadwa Al Barghouthi, expressed concern over her husband’s condition, stating she could barely recognize him due to his frail appearance. Nonetheless, she conveyed that he remains connected to the Palestinian people. “Perhaps a part of me does not want to acknowledge everything that your face and body shows, and what you and the prisoners have been through,” she wrote in a Facebook post.

Israeli officials maintain that they have minimized the conditions under which Palestinian detainees are held to comply with both Israeli and international law. Reports indicate that many detainees released during a ceasefire in Gaza earlier this year appeared gaunt and in poor health, with some requiring immediate medical attention.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing complexities and challenges surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as the deep divisions that persist within Palestinian leadership and public sentiment.