Im 2017, Pam Baily wrote an article titled “A scary, intimate look: Inside the lives of political prisoners” where she detailed the struggles of several political prisioners, including Palestinians.
At that time, more than 1,000 of the approximately 6,500 Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli jails were hunger striking, demanding more humane living conditions. The strike began on April 17, when 1,500 Palestinians presented their demands to the Israeli Prison Service. The list including family visits, the ability to talk to family members by telephone, access to medical care, and an end to solitary confinement and administrative detention (under which individuals are held without charge or trial).
Israel swiftly responded to those demands: meetings between prisoners and their lawyers were suspended, and Marwan al-Barghouti was transferred to another prison.
Widely seen as a central figure of the first and second intifadas, al-Barghouti is not only the charismatic leader of the strike but also a political figure whose popularity has been confirmed time and again by public opinion polls. Were it not for his five consecutive life sentences, he would likely be the leading candidate in a Palestinian presidential election. His isolation is hardly surprising — Israel’s greatest concern is a visionary leader capable of becoming a unifying voice among a divided Palestinian people.
Pam Bailey concluded her article by praising the Palestinian hunger strikers who refused to abandon their demands, who resisted oppression “on our behalf,” and who continue to pay the price in prison, risking their lives.
The 2017 strike was seen among Palestinians as a symbolic victory, both for its scale and for highlighting the issue of prisoners on the international stage. Palestinian sources reported that some demands were met — particularly the resumption of a second monthly family visit that had previously been cut, along with some improvements in healthcare access and prison conditions.
Barghouti’s leadership reinforced his status as a unifying figure in Palestinian politics.
Barghouti in 2025: A Glimpse Behind Bars
In August 2025, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir released a 13-second video—marked the first public appearance in years—showing Marwan Barghouti in Ganot Prison. Barghouti appeared visibly emaciated: pale, thin, and frail, his features almost unrecognizable. The video, shared widely across media platforms, struck many as disturbing.
In the footage, Ben-Gvir directly confronts Barghouti, delivering a chilling message:
“You will not win. Anyone who harms the people of Israel… we will wipe them out.”
The video ignited a storm of condemnation from the Palestinian Authority, human rights organizations, and the United Nations, who labeled the episode “state terrorism” and called for immediate protections for prisoner safety.
Under Solitary and Harsh Conditions
Barghouti, imprisoned since 2002 and serving five consecutive life sentences plus 40 additional years, has been confined in solitary since October 2023. Rights groups and his family allege repeated assaults by prison guards, including occasions where he was dragged naked. He has reportedly endured dark cells, constant loud music, and severe physical harm—all constituting treatment some experts equate with torture.
Despite his imprisonment and declining physical state, Barghouti remains a potent political figure. A May 2025 poll showed him leading potential presidential race matchups—stronger than both Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leaders. Many Palestinians view him as a unifying and credible successor—a sort of “Palestinian Mandela.”
Barghouti’s brief reappearance has renewed international attention on his plight: an emblem of decades-long struggle, resilience, and hope.
©TNPP
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