By Guillermo Azábal
Ramallah, West Bank (EFE).- The family of imprisoned Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti says United States President Donald Trump could be the key to persuading Israel to release the figure widely regarded as the “Palestinian Mandela,” potentially opening a path toward renewed talks on a two-state solution.
Arab Barghouti, the eldest son of the jailed Fatah leader, told EFE that Trump’s influence over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could prove decisive, following comments by the US president suggesting he was considering raising the issue with Israel.
“It was great to hear President Trump say he is thinking about it. That is the way forward,” Arab Barghouti said in an interview. “I hope he does it with conviction, because it would help move toward a better future for this land, with a Palestinian leader who truly represents the people with credibility and legitimacy.”
A symbolic figure still excluded
Marwan Barghouti, 66, has been imprisoned by Israel since 2002 and is serving five life sentences for his alleged role in attacks during the Second Intifada.
He remains one of the most popular political figures among Palestinians and is viewed by many as a unifying leader.
Despite the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees from Gaza and the West Bank under the current ceasefire agreed in October, Barghouti was again excluded from the list.
Netanyahu is currently traveling to the United States to meet Trump and discuss next steps toward implementing a second phase of the truce, which includes forming a transitional government in Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas.
‘Israel does not want peace’
Arab Barghouti accused Israel of blocking any political alternative that could pressure it into negotiations.
“Israel is not interested in peace. They say they have no partner for peace, but they do, they just don’t want us to unite around a legitimate and credible leader,” he said. “They don’t want peace; they want total domination of the land.”
He added that there are currently “no relations, talks or negotiations” with the Israeli government, but said the family maintains communication channels with Arab leaders and European governments, including Spain.
“I will soon travel to Spain and hope to meet with the government and President Pedro Sánchez,” he said, calling the Spanish leader “a national hero in Palestine” for his supportive stance.
Health concerns and global campaign
Arab Barghouti said his father has been assaulted “up to seven times” since Oct. 7, 2023, and is still recovering from a recent attack that allegedly left him with fractured ribs.
“He has endured two years of total isolation, torture, and starvation. He has lost a lot of weight,” he said.
Earlier this month, more than 200 internationally renowned artists, writers, and musicians joined the “Free Marwan” campaign to increase pressure on Israel, including Pedro Almodóvar, Javier Bardem, Mark Ruffalo, Margaret Atwood, Sting, and Ai Weiwei.
“My father still has strength and courage,” Arab Barghouti said. “He wants stability and does not seek more violence. But the right path forward is democratic elections in Palestine.”
He added that among Palestinians, “giving up is not an option.” EFE
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