Ben Gvir taunts Barghouti during prison visit

A video shows Itamar Ben Gvir taunting Marwan Barghouti in his cell, drawing PA condemnation and raising questions about prison conditions and political rhetoric.

Ben Gvir taunts Barghouti during prison visit

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visited the cell of Marwan Barghouti, a Palestinian leader jailed in Israel. A short clip published on social media shows Ben Gvir telling Barghouti that he will not win and that those who attack Israel will be wiped out, while Barghouti nods and attempts to speak but is interrupted. Barghouti has been held in isolation for years, a point his family says has caused severe health and human rights concerns, while the Israel Prison Service denies abusive treatment.

The scene also featured Israel Prison Service chief Kobi Yaakobi, a close ally of Ben Gvir. Palestinians view Barghouti as a potential successor to the Palestinian Authority presidency, making the visit highly symbolic. The PA condemned the encounter as psychological and physical terrorism, calling for international protection of prisoners. Barghouti’s wife, Fadwa, said she recognises the resilience of her husband and warned that the occupation and its figures are still at odds with him.

The clip exposes how public optics can shape a volatile conflict. A single moment inside a prison can send a broader political message and influence international attention. The use of a long-imprisoned figure as a focal point in a high-profile visit risks inflaming tensions or hardening positions on both sides.

It also highlights tensions inside the Israeli system, where security figures use dramatic gestures to project power. Human rights advocates may view the footage as a flashpoint for concerns about solitary confinement and prisoners’ rights, potentially drawing renewed scrutiny from international bodies and NGOs.

Highlights

The scene adds a new layer to a long-running struggle that few overlook.