Footage shows Israeli minister threatening Palestinian prisoner

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has appeared in newly circulated footage visiting Marwan Barghouti – the most prominent Palestinian detainee – warning him that Israel will “obliterate” any of its opponents, as reported by Middle East Eye on August 14th.

It marks Barghouti’s first public sighting in years; he appears aged, thin, and dressed in a white undershirt.

Ben Gvir, known for his extreme right-wing views recently rejoined Netanyahu’s government after the Israeli Prime Minster sought to consolidate his fragile position by appealing to the far right. Ben Gvir, along with his colleague Bezalel Smotrich, have also been sanctioned by certain Western countries for their complete disregard for Palestinian lives and extreme comments.

In the video, shared on social media, Ben Gvir tells Barghouti: “Whoever messes with the people of Israel, whoever murders our children, whoever murders our women, we will obliterate them. You will not defeat us.”

Barghouti, an ex-Fatah figure who was heavily involved in the Second Intifada, has been imprisoned since 2004. Israel sentenced him to five life terms plus 40 years over attacks that killed five people; he refused to recognise the court’s authority. Opinion polls imply the 66-year-old would likely win a Palestinian presidential election if permitted to run.

His son, Qassem Barghouti, said the family fears for Marwan’s life, describing “an ongoing approach for two years to threaten and assault him”, beginning with an attack at the start of the war. He claimed Ben Gvir’s remarks show “a direct threat to assassinate and kill him inside his cell”.

Israeli media reported Ben Gvir visited Tel Aviv’s Gannot prison with prison service commissioner Kobi Yaakobi “to closely monitor the worsening of the imprisoned terrorists’ conditions”. Rights groups have documented deteriorating treatment of Palestinian prisoners since October 2023, including a surge in arrests.

Egypt and Qatar, with Hamas, have sought Barghouti’s release as part of Gaza ceasefire talks, but senior Palestinian Authority officials reportedly opposed the move, fearing it could undermine President Mahmoud Abbas.

Former Fatah candidate Awni Almashni said Ben Gvir’s actions only highlight Barghouti’s “legendary steadfastness” and that “the will for freedom… will not be broken by the tyranny, injustice and arrogance.”

Middle East Eye, Maghrebi.org, Al Jazeera