Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir directly confronted notorious terrorist leader Marwan Barghouti during a surprise visit to his prison cell, sparking outrage from Palestinian leaders, Arab MKs, and Barghouti’s family.
GANNOT PRISON, ISRAEL — In a move guaranteed to ignite political controversy, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on Thursday visited the prison cell of Marwan Barghouti — the Fatah figurehead serving five life sentences for orchestrating deadly attacks during the Second Intifada.
Ben Gvir’s inspection was part of a broader review of toughened conditions for convicted terrorists, but it quickly became a personal confrontation. Looking Barghouti in the eye, the minister declared:
“Anyone who messes with the people of Israel, who murders our children, who murders our women — we will erase him. You will not defeat us.”
Arab MKs and PA Officials Lash Out
The visit drew fierce condemnation from Arab political leaders and the Palestinian Authority:
- MK Ayman Odeh (Hadash-Ta’al) accused Ben Gvir of “acting as a terrorist in a tie,” alleging Barghouti is being held under “cruel conditions.”
- MK Ofer Cassif predicted “the day is not far when the roles will be reversed” and Barghouti will “lead the independent Palestinian state.”
- The PA Foreign Ministry labeled the encounter “an unprecedented provocation and organized political terror,” placing “direct responsibility” on Israel for Barghouti’s life.
Barghouti’s family claimed Ben Gvir’s words amounted to a direct threat, expressing fear for his safety.
Barghouti’s Deteriorated Appearance Shocks PA
According to i24 Arab affairs analyst Zvi Yehezkeli, Palestinian leaders were “shocked” by Barghouti’s appearance during the meeting, describing him as “weak, exhausted, and nothing like himself.”
Hamas has repeatedly demanded Barghouti’s release in recent hostage negotiations, but Israel has consistently rejected those requests.
Yehezkeli recalled interviewing Barghouti 12 years ago in prison, when the convicted terrorist confidently told him:
“We will win.”
The analyst openly wondered whether Barghouti still holds that belief today.
A Calculated Message
The visit fits Ben Gvir’s ongoing policy of hardening prison conditions for security prisoners and projecting deterrence. But it also risks inflaming tensions with the Palestinian leadership, which views Barghouti as a symbol of resistance and a potential future leader of a Palestinian state.
With Barghouti now visibly weakened and Israel unmoved by calls for his release, Thursday’s confrontation signals that Jerusalem intends to keep him behind bars indefinitely — and under harsher terms.
