200 Celebrities Call for Release of Palestinian Arch-Terrorist Marwan Barghouti

More than 200 prominent figures from the worlds of music, film, literature, and activism have signed an open letter demanding the immediate release of Marwan Barghouti, a high-profile Palestinian politician and arch-terrorist imprisoned in Israel since 2002.

The letter, released on November 29, 2025, as part of the International Campaign to Free Marwan Barghouti, draws parallels between Barghouti and Nelson Mandela, portraying his freedom as a crucial step toward Palestinian unity and a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The signatories accuse Israeli authorities of subjecting Barghouti to "violent mistreatment and denial of legal rights," including solitary confinement, beatings that resulted in broken ribs, and restricted access to lawyers and family visits.

They highlight a leaked video from August 2025 showing Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunting a visibly weakened Barghouti in his cell, the first public image of him in nearly a decade. The letter urges the United Nations and world governments to intervene, condemning what it describes as ongoing "violent oppression" and emphasizing Barghouti's potential role in fostering dialogue for a two-state solution.

Barghouti, 66, a senior member of the Fatah party and former Palestinian Legislative Council representative, was convicted by an Israeli court in 2004 on five counts of murder for his alleged involvement in attacks during the Second Intifada that killed five Israelis. He is serving five life sentences plus 40 years.

Barghouti has denied the charges, rejecting the court's jurisdiction over Palestinians in the "occupied West Bank", and his trial has faced criticism from groups like the Inter-Parliamentary Union for procedural issues. Despite his imprisonment, polls consistently rank him as the most popular Palestinian leader, capable of bridging divides between factions like Fatah and Hamas.Supporters, including his family, claim his conditions have worsened since the October 7, 2023, attacks, with reports of torture and humiliation.

Hamas sought his inclusion in the October 2025 hostage-prisoner exchange deal, which ultimately freed the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages in return for 1,968 Palestinian detainees, but Israel reportedly vetoed his release at the eleventh hour.The letter underscores the "power of cultural voices" in amplifying calls for justice, likening the effort to global solidarity for Mandela during apartheid. Nobel laureate Annie Ernaux, one of the signers, stated in an interview that Barghouti's release is essential amid Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's settlement expansions, which she views as obstacles to peace.

Among the notable signatories are:Literature: Margaret Atwood, Annie Ernaux, Colm Tóibín, Elif Shafak, Arundhati Roy, Hisham Matar.

Music: Paul Simon, Annie Lennox, Sting, Brian Eno, Charlotte Church, Jarvis Cocker.

Film & TV: Benedict Cumberbatch, Ian McKellen, Mark Ruffalo, Tilda Swinton, Josh O'Connor, Cynthia Nixon, Ilana Glazer, Hannah Einbinder, Brian Cox.

Others: Angela Davis (activist), Richard Branson (entrepreneur), Gary Lineker (broadcaster), Ai Weiwei (artist), Eric Cantona (actor/ex-footballer).

Many of these individuals have previously voiced support for Palestinian causes, including calls for boycotts of Israeli cultural institutions over the Gaza conflict.

Reactions have been mixed: Proponents hail the letter as a vital push for human rights and reconciliation, while Israeli officials and critics dismiss it as overlooking Barghouti's conviction for terrorism and glorifying violence. Former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon has publicly supported his release as a pragmatic move for peace, but the Israeli government maintains he is a convicted murderer with blood on his hands.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry has not issued a formal response.

Meanwhile, the campaign continues to gain momentum online, with hashtags like #FreeMarwan trending amid broader discussions on post-ceasefire pathways to stability in the region.