The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation urges the South African government and members of the public to intensify the call for the immediate and unconditional release of Marwan Barghouthi and all Palestinian political prisoners.
Recent reports indicate that Barghouthi (66) was beaten unconscious with several of his ribs broken while being transferred between two Israeli prisons. He has reportedly been held in solitary confinement and has been assaulted four times since October 2023.
In a recent video clip, Israel’s far right Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, was seen taunting an emaciated looking Barghouthi, threatening to “wipe out” anyone who “messes with the nation of Israel”.
October marks 12 years since anti-apartheid veteran Ahmed Kathrada launched – on Robben Island in Nelson Mandela’s prison cell – the global campaign for Barghouthi’s release.
Following his arrest in 2002, Barghouthi, known as the ‘Palestinian Mandela’, was sentenced by Israel in a sham trial to five life sentences plus 40 years imprisonment.
One of the most popular liberation leaders in Palestine, Barghouthi was central to the second intifada. While a member of Fatah, he is seen as a unifying figure and has topped Hamas’ prisoner exchange lists. Media reports suggest that the Israeli Prime Minister’s office unilaterally removed his name from the latest ceasefire list.
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation’s Executive Director, Neeshan Balton, said, “We are deeply troubled by the news of Marwan Barghouthi’s assault. It is clear that he is being targeted by Israel because he is symbolic of Palestinian unity and resistance, and offers a vision for freedom, justice and peace through negotiated settlement. His family has indicated that they now fear for his life.”
“We are horrified at reports detailing conditions in Israeli prisons, including that of that of sexual violence, torture, solitary confinement and the deprivation of food and medical care. The recent exchange of prisoners represents a fraction of Palestinians incarcerated in Israeli jails. There are currently some 10 000 Palestinian political prisoners including hundreds of children. As was the case during apartheid in South Africa, imprisonment is used by Israel to entrench its occupation. It is an often-overlooked extension of the genocide,” Balton added.
“South Africa is part of ‘The Hague’ group of countries coordinating legal and diplomatic work against Israel’s violations of international law. It should prioritise the issue of Palestinian political prisoners in its efforts. Even as a fragile ceasefire holds, South Africans must continue coming out in numbers to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and must amplify the call for the freedom of Marwan Barghouthi and all Palestinian political prisoners.”
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Issued by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation
For media inquiries, please contact:
Anele Gcwabe
Communications Manager
Ahmed Kathrada Foundation
083-278-8832
anele@kathradafoundation.org