Ben-Gvir threatens Barghouti, prisoner groups decry 'silent execution'
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Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti is facing death threats from Itamar Ben-Gvir amid worsening conditions in Israeli prisons, prompting Palestinian prisoner organizations to condemn the minister.
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Palestinian women shout slogans while waving their national flags with a picture of jailed leader Marwan Barghouti, during a protest in Beirut, Lebanon, on May 4, 2017. (AP)
Far-right Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the solitary confinement wing at Ganot Prison on Thursday, where he confronted imprisoned leader Marwan Barghouthi in his cell and hurled threats at him and taunted him.
The extremist Israeli minister threatened Barghouti in his cell, with video footage showing Ben-Gvir declaring, "You will not defeat us; anyone who harms the people of Israel, who kills children, who murders women, we will erase them."
Boasting about assassinations and killings targeting Palestinian leaders, the Israeli police minister added, "You should know this, [this happened] throughout history."
Palestinian prisoner organizations condemn move
Palestinian prisoner organizations condemned Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's threats to Marwan Barghouti, warning of Israeli authorities' potential intent to "silently execute" the Palestinian leader.
Abdullah Zaghari, the head of the Palestinian Prisoners' Society, stressed that the threat issued by the far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir against Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti on Thursday is a blatant declaration of the occupation's intent to execute him and assassinate other imprisoned leaders, especially given the unprecedented atrocities detainees have faced since the genocidal war on Gaza began.
Zaghari pointed out that Ben-Gvir’s threat heightens concerns over Barghouti’s fate, as he has been held in solitary confinement since the start of the war and is currently detained in Ganot Prison alongside dozens of other imprisoned Palestinian leaders. He explained that they are enduring brutal and tragic conditions, including starvation, denial of medical care, and systematic abuse, such as severe beatings during violent crackdowns carried out by heavily armed special units.
He explained that Barghouthi and dozens of other leaders came under repeated attacks, resulting in varying degrees of injuries. Additionally, the prison administration continues to obstruct their visitation rights and carries out frequent transfers, during which they often face brutal assaults.
The head of the head of the Palestinian Prisoners' Society held the occupation authorities fully responsible for Barghouthi’s life and safety, while reiterating his call for the international community to reclaim its active role in confronting the genocide, halt the systematic crimes against detainees, and end the ongoing complicity and inaction in the face of the occupation’s policies.
Transgression of all red lines
In the same vein, Raed Abu al-Hums, who heads the Commission for Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, held extremist minister Itamar Ben-Gvir fully responsible for imprisoned leader Marwan Barghouti's life.
Abu al-Hums asserted that "Ben-Gvir’s visit to leader Abu al-Qassam’s cell amounts to a public threat," noting that the extremist’s language and the nature of their discussion serve as a grave warning about the concealed agenda of "this pathological racist."
He warned that Ben-Gvir had previously tortured detainees in front of cameras, citing the minister's extensive record of racism and hatred, while stressing that targeting a leader of Barghouti's stature crossed all red lines, adding, "We are deeply concerned for his life."
Raed Abu al-Hums urged the Palestinian people to rally behind Barghouti and honor his sacrifices, demanding that "all international organizations take immediate action to protect this leader who embodies Palestinian national unity."
Threat of 'silent execution'
In the same context, the Palestinian Center for Prisoners’ Defense warned that imprisoned leader Marwan Barghouti is at risk of a "silent execution", given the ongoing incitement against him by the Israeli government's top personnel and the extremely critical deterioration of his situation.
The center stated that these actions represent "barbaric conduct reflecting the mentality of gang-like groups that now dictate the operations of the current right-wing government."
It reiterated its call for the international community and the United Nations to provide international protection for Palestinian detainees and prisoners, as Israeli mistreatment against them escalates and becomes institutionalized by the prison authorities.
Marwan Barghouti is a prominent political leader within Fatah who played a significant role in both the First Intifada of 1987 and the Second Intifada of 2000, where he emerged as one of its most recognizable figures. He has been arrested and exiled multiple times, survived several failed Israeli assassination attempts, and was ultimately sentenced to five consecutive life terms in prison.
Barghouti remained a wanted man until Israeli occupation forces captured him in Ramallah on April 15, 2002, and he has since been held in Israeli prisons.
