Western Cultural and Artistic Stars Support Marwan Barghouti

TEHRAN (Defapress) - More than 200 prominent cultural figures in the Western world have signed a statement calling for the release of Marwan Barghouti, the most popular Palestinian political figure who could unite the Fatah and Hamas movements to form an independent Palestinian state. Among the signatories are notable names, including authors such as Margaret Atwood, Philip Pullman, Zadie Smith, and Annie Ernaux, and actors such as Sir Ian McKellen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Josh O'Connor, and Mark Ruffalo, alongside former presenter and footballer Gary Lineker. Additionally, musicians such as Sting, Paul Simon, Brian Eno, and Annie Lennox, actor and presenter Stephen Fry, and British cookery writer and presenter Delia Smith are on the list. Other names include directors such as Sir Richard Eyre and billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.

The 66-year-old Barghouti was sentenced 23 years ago in a show trial to five life sentences on charges of involvement in the killing of 5 Israeli civilians. He remains the most popular Palestinian leader and tops all opinion polls. Despite Hamas's persistent efforts, Israel refused to release this prominent Fatah movement member during the prisoner exchange. Israel fears Barghouti's charisma and his ability to unite Palestinians more than anything else.

Marwan Barghouti's family, with the help of British civil society, has launched a global campaign seeking to alter his fate in the second phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Following the appearance of Barghouti murals across London, the issuance of this statement marks the launch of the campaign's second phase. The campaign for Barghouti's freedom is inspired by the cultural movement that played a key role in freeing Nelson Mandela and defeating the apartheid regime in South Africa. Mandela said in 2002: "What is happening to Barghouti is what happened to me."

British musician Brian Eno said about the statement: "History testifies that culture can change the course of politics. Just as global solidarity helped free Nelson Mandela, we all have the power to bring the day of Barghouti's freedom closer. His release will be a turning point in this long struggle and will bring vital hope to us all." Part of the statement reads: "We express our grave concern over the continued imprisonment of Marwan Barghouti, the mistreatment he faces, and the deprivation of his legal rights in prison. We call on the United Nations and the world's governments to pursue the release of Marwan Barghouti from Israeli prison."

The U.S. President recently acknowledged that he is personally reviewing the case for Marwan Barghouti's release. Unless severe pressure is applied by Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu will oppose Barghouti's release. Trump invited Netanyahu to the White House for a meeting in the near future this week. This marks the fifth visit by the Israeli Prime Minister to Washington within the past year. Meanwhile, Netanyahu's coalition is advancing a bill that would grant the Israeli government the authority to execute Palestinian prisoners; it appears this law is being enacted specifically to execute Marwan Barghouti.