Green MP raises case of Marwan Barghouti's release from prison in UK parliament

Green Party MP Ellie Chowns has raised the issue of Israel's refusal to release Marwan Barghouti from prison in the British parliament, describing him as "a unifying voice for Palestinian rights, dignity and freedom".

Barghouti, thought to be the most popular Palestinian political figure, was one of the most high-profile names touted for release in a recent ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

Earlier this month, however, the Israeli prime minister's office unilaterally removed Barghouti's name from the prisoner exchange list at the last minute, sources told Middle East Eye.

Barghouti has been in prison since 2004 and was in solitary confinement throughout Israel's genocide in Gaza.

"One of the Palestinian prisoners who has not been released is Mr Marwan Barghouti," Green MP Chowns said in parliament on Wednesday, describing him as "a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council who's been in prison since 2002 without a fair trial and subjected to human rights abuses".

She continued: "Can I ask the prime minister what recent representation his government has made in the last few days to secure the immediate release of Mr Barghouti, given his widespread popularity as a unifying voice for Palestinian rights, dignity and freedom, and therefore his potential crucial role in securing a meaningful and lasting peace in the region?"

Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded simply by saying: "I thank the honourable lady for raising that individual case. I offer to provide her with further information on it as  soon as we can."

Favourite for Palestinian presidency

The question by the Green MP was unusual in inserting Barghouti into British political discourse on Palestine, since the Labour government has been highly focused on the PA's current leadership, which is deeply unpopular among Palestinians.

Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer said at a conference in London on Monday co-hosted with PA and Egyptian representatives that Britain is "backing a Palestinian-led recovery and reconstruction".

Israel's Ben Gvir seen threatening Marwan Barghouti in prison in new video

Read More »

The government has repeatedly insisted that Hamas must disarm and play no role in Gaza's governance.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is promoting the idea of a technocratic transitional authority to govern post-war Gaza, which features no significant role for Palestinians.

Barghouti, now 66, was a senior figure in Fatah, the party that dominates the PA. He is nonetheless widely seen as a unifying figure, even among rival groups, such as Hamas.

He was targeted by Israel due to his leading role in the 2000-2005 Second Intifada and his intense popularity.

Opinion polls have repeatedly suggested he would win the Palestinian presidency if elections were held and he stood for office.

Egypt and Qatar, alongside Hamas, pushed strongly for Barghouti's release as part of a Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Major General Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, the director of Egypt's General Intelligence Services, personally interceded to push for his release, sources said.

But a source told MEE that senior PA officials wanted Barghouti excluded from any exchange, fearing it could threaten the leadership of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. 

In August, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visited Barghouti in prison and was filmed threatening him that Israel will "obliterate" anyone who opposes it.

It was the first time that Barghouti, who appeared aged and gaunt, had been seen publicly in years.