More than 200 cultural figures back call for release of jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti
The campaign consciously mirrors the international cultural movement that contributed to securing Nelson Mandela’s release from prison. Mandela said in 2002 that Barghouti’s situation was the same as what he experienced
More than 200 prominent cultural figures have signed an open letter urging the release of Marwan Barghouti, a senior Palestinian political leader who has spent more than two decades in an Israeli prison.
Authors Margaret Atwood, Philip Pullman, Zadie Smith and Annie Ernaux joined actors Sir Ian McKellen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Josh O'Connor, Mark Ruffalo and Stephen Fry in supporting the appeal. Other signatories include musicians Sting, Paul Simon, Brian Eno and Annie Lennox; director Sir Richard Eyre; artist Ai Weiwei; broadcaster Gary Lineker; food writer Delia Smith; and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, reports the Guardian.
The campaign consciously mirrors the international cultural movement that contributed to securing Nelson Mandela's release from prison. Mandela said in 2002 that Barghouti's situation was the same as what he experienced.
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British musician Brian Eno said cultural voices can help shift political momentum and that global solidarity could accelerate Barghouti's release, describing the moment as a "turning point in this long struggle".
The letter expresses concern about Barghouti's continued detention, allegations of violent mistreatment and the denial of legal rights. It calls on the United Nations and governments to press for his release.
Barghouti, 66, was an elected parliamentarian at the time of his arrest 23 years ago. He is widely regarded as the most popular Palestinian political figure and appears consistently as the leading choice in public opinion surveys. Supporters say he is one of the few leaders with the credibility to unite Palestinian factions and revive efforts toward a Palestinian state.
His trial has been criticised by legal experts. The Inter-Parliamentary Union concluded that the proceedings were deeply flawed, while British-Palestinian novelist and lawyer Selma Dabbagh described it as a "sham".
Israel has repeatedly rejected calls to release Barghouti, including during a recent prisoner exchange following an October ceasefire in the Gaza war. Analysts say the refusal reflects concerns about the political influence he could wield, rather than intelligence assessments about security risks.
There is also concern among campaigners that the Israeli government may advance legislation enabling the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners, a move that could apply to Barghouti.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to resist any release unless significant pressure is applied by the United States.
If freed, Barghouti would face a complex political landscape, including debate over a UN resolution supporting Washington's proposal for an international stabilisation force in Gaza, which has been rejected by major Palestinian human rights organisations.
