In a stark revelation by Mr. Abdallah M. Abu Shawesh, the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Nigeria, the harrowing daily existence of Marwan Barghouti in an Israeli prison has come to light. Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian political figure and member of the Fateh Central Committee, is enduring severe torture and isolation, reflecting the broader plight of Palestinian prisoners.
Barghouti, who is serving multiple life sentences after being accused of directing attacks against Israel—a charge he vehemently denies—has faced relentless and brutal treatment since October 7th. This mistreatment is reportedly sanctioned by the far-right Israeli Minister of National Security, who is known for his extreme views.
Reports from credible sources like The Guardian highlight the grim details of Barghouti's incarceration. He is confined to a cramped, dark solitary cell, without access to necessary medical care for his injuries, including a severe shoulder wound inflicted while being dragged with his hands cuffed. Barghouti's physical condition has deteriorated drastically. Lawyer Igal Dotan, who visited him two months ago, noted Barghouti’s significant weight loss and impaired vision in his right eye due to repeated assaults.
Qadura Fares, head of the Palestinian prisoners' organization, emphasized that the Israeli authorities' treatment of prisoners during the ongoing conflict aims to exact revenge on the Palestinian populace. This vengeful approach underscores the symbolic significance of these prisoners in the Palestinian struggle.
The situation extends beyond Barghouti, affecting thousands of Palestinians. Since October 7th, there have been 8,775 arrests, including 80 women, over 200 minors, 21 senior detainees, 3,660 administrative detainees, and 56 journalists. Israel is also accused of holding the bodies of 26 prisoners who died due to alleged medical negligence.
In response to these grave human rights violations, the Palestinian representative has urged international bodies, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations, and the Human Rights Council, to fulfill their mandates. These organizations are called upon to conduct regular inspections of Palestinian prisoners to ensure compliance with international law and hold Israel accountable as an occupying power. This call for action is critical to document and improve the dire conditions faced by Palestinian detainees.
The full statement below.
Marwan Barghouti is a high-profile Palestinian political leader and a member of the Fateh Central Committee. He is serving multiple life sentences in Israeli jails after being accused of directing attacks against Israel, which he denies. Since October 7th, he has been subjected to severe and continuous torture and ill treatment following direct instructions from the far right wing, fanatic and messianic Israeli Minister of National security.
All Palestinian prisoners and detainees are being subjected to harsh measures that amount to torture and ill treatment. Citing the Guardian Newspaper, “Barghouti spends his days huddled in a cramped, dark, solitary cell, with no way to tend to his wounds, and a shoulder injury from being dragged with his hands cuffed behind his back.”Two months ago, lawyer Igal Dotan visited him and described his condition as follows: “Mentally he’s a very strong person, but physically his condition is deteriorating, you can see it. He’s struggling to see out of his right eye, as a result of one of the assaults.
He has lost weight – he doesn’t look good. You wouldn’t recognise him if you compare his current appearance with the famous photos of him.”Qadura Fares, the head of the Palestinian prisoners and former detainees said “During this war, the Israeli authorities are trying to deal with all prisoners in a way that allows them to get revenge of the Palestinians.
They understand what they represent in our collective mind, they are symbols of struggle”The total number of arrests has reached 8,775 cases since October 7th, 2023, including 80 women, over 200 minors, 21 senior detainees, 3,660 administrative detainees, and 56 journalists. Israel is holding the bodies of 26 prisoners, who died due to Israeli medical negligence policiesWe call on the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations and the Human Rights Council to adhere to their mandate and conduct periodic visits to Palestinian prisoners to ensure that they are treated in accordance with the requirements of international law and Israeli adherence to its obligations as an occupying Power, as well as to report and document their conditions."
Tags
News