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US Rep. Ro Khanna urges Israel to free Marwan Barghouti, a Palestinian leader serving five life sentences, citing his standing among Palestinian factions.
US Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, called on Friday for the release of Marwan Barghouti from an Israel i prison. In a video posted on X, Khanna said Palestinians must choose their own leaders and described Barghouti as having a unique standing among all Palestinian factions.
Barghouti, a secular nationalist, was convicted in an Israeli civilian court in Tel Aviv in May 2004 on five counts related to attacks that killed five people during the Second Intifada. He is serving five life sentences.
Khanna argued that releasing Barghouti would not amount to a pardon or moral absolution. He noted that a number of human rights groups say Barghouti did not receive a fair trial, and he compared the release to past peace efforts by Yasser Arafat and Yitzhak Rabin.
Who Is Marwan Barghouti
Barghouti is a leading figure in Fatah, the secular nationalist faction that dominates the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and is a rival to Hamas. He has been in prison for more than two decades, and his popularity has grown across Palestinian factions during that time.
Some Palestinians view him as their own Nelson Mandela, the South African anti-apartheid activist who became the country first Black president. Experts say he advocates a two-state solution even as he backed armed resistance to occupation.
His broad appeal and leadership ability are precisely why Israel has refused to free him, according to supporters of his release. They say he would likely emerge as a powerful contender to lead the Palestinians and give their national movement a more unified voice.
Hamas Demands and Israeli Fears
Senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk told the Al Jazeera TV network that the group insists on the release of Barghouti and other high-profile figures and that it was in discussions with mediators. Despite that insistence, Barghouti remained in prison.
Israelis recall the 2011 prisoner exchange that freed Yahya Sinwar. After his release, Sinwar became the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip and ultimately the chief mastermind behind the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks against Israel.
Some experts say Israel fears Barghouti for another reason: he could be a powerful rallying figure for Palestinians. His influence extends beyond his convictions, and he could emerge from prison as a leader capable of uniting factions.
Political Fallout in Washington
Khanna has faced criticism over the past few months for his association with Graham Platner, the former Maine Senate nominee. Despite a stream of disturbing revelations from Platner past, Khanna threw his support behind him, saying Platner was someone who had a dark chapter in his life and should be given some grace.
Critics also point to an earlier incident in which Khanna, who is also a photographer, said he had been detained by Israeli soldiers during a visit to the West Bank. Israeli authorities strongly disputed his version of the incident, and it was widely believed he staged the confrontation to raise his profile ahead of a possible 2028 presidential run.
Some observers argue the timing of Khanna call for Barghouti release served to divert media attention from his support for Platner, who had just been credibly accused of rape. Khanna continues to double down on his alliance with Hamas in his courting of the anti-Israel left in his party, critics say.
They add that Khanna is trying to out-flank Abdul El-Sayed, Hasan Piker, and Zohran Mamdani for ownership of the party pro-Hamas fringe, and burying whatever is left of a Democratic foreign policy that could win a general election.
Marwan Barghouti Ro Khanna Hamas Israel Palestinian Authority Yahya Sinwar Graham Platner
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