A coalition of more than 20 actors from the Marvel cinematic and television universes has backed a new international campaign demanding the release of imprisoned Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti. The initiative, named "Free Marwan Now," was initiated by Barghouti’s family and supporters, drawing endorsements from over 200 prominent personalities across film, music, literature, and other cultural sectors.
In a statement shared on Instagram last week, the campaign expressed deep concern over Barghouti's ongoing detention, alleging violent mistreatment and the denial of his legal rights. The campaign appealed directly to the United Nations and global governments to actively advocate for his release from Israeli custody, where he has been held in solitary confinement since 2023.
High-profile Marvel actors signing the petition include Benedict Cumberbatch, who played Doctor Strange; Don Cheadle, who played James Rhodes/War Machine; Cate Blanchett, who portrayed Hela in Thor: Ragnarok; Tilda Swinton, who played the Ancient One; Tatiana Maslany, who starred in She-Hulk; and Daniel Bruhl, known for his role as Zemo. Other notable signatories from the Marvel franchise and broader film industry include Ian McKellen, who played Magneto in the X-Men series, alongside Rebecca Hall, Riz Ahmed, Jason Flemyng, Elliot Page, Hugo Weaving, Zawe Ashton, Emma Corrin, May Calamawy, Brian Cox, Dan Stevens, Rob Delaney, and Kingsley Ben-Adir.
Born on June 6, 1958, in the West Bank village of Kobar, northwest of Ramallah, Barghouti joined the Fatah movement at age 15. His history of conflict with Israeli authorities began early; he was first arrested in 1976 at age 18, during which time he learned Hebrew in prison. He faced multiple detentions during his university years, and in 1985, he was placed under administrative detention and subsequent house arrest.
Barghouti emerged as a key figure during the First Intifada, which started in the Palestinian territories in 1987. Following his involvement, Israel deported him to Jordan, where he spent seven years in exile. He returned to the occupied West Bank in 1994 following the signing of the Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). By 1996, he was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council representing Fatah for the Ramallah and Al-Bireh area, eventually rising to become the movement's secretary-general.
In 2002, Israeli forces arrested Barghouti at his Ramallah home. He was later sentenced by an Israeli court to five life terms plus 40 years in prison. While incarcerated, Barghouti—who holds a bachelor's degree in history and political science and a master's degree in international relations from Birzeit University—completed his doctorate. He has also authored several books from prison, including The Promise, Resistance to Arrest, and One Thousand Days in a Solitary Confinement Cell.
Despite his Fatah affiliation, Barghouti is widely regarded as a unifying figure capable of bridging divides between various Palestinian factions. The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has repeatedly demanded his release in negotiations. In February 2024, Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir ordered Barghouti's transfer from Ofer Military Prison to Ramon Prison, placing him in solitary confinement. Israeli officials claimed the transfer was based on intelligence pointing to plans for an uprising in the occupied West Bank, a move that has intensified fears among Palestinians regarding his safety and well-being.
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Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.