Tensions rise as Ben Gvir taunts Barghouti

A video shows Itamar Ben Gvir taunting prominent prisoner Marwan Barghouti, highlighting the tense politics surrounding Palestinian prisoners.

Ben Gvir taunts Barghouti and fuels tensions over Palestinian prisoners

A video circulating online shows Itamar Ben Gvir telling Marwan Barghouti, you will not win, during a brief exchange in which Barghouti tries to interject but is cut off. The clip, first posted by Ben Gvir supporters on Thursday and later shared on Ben Gvirs X account, adds to a long running debate about the handling of Palestinian political prisoners. Barghouti, 66, has spent more than 20 years in Israeli custody after being convicted of planning attacks that killed five civilians. He remains a senior figure in Fatah and polls have long suggested he would win a Palestinian presidential election if released, ahead of Mahmoud Abbas or Hamas leaders.

The video frames a high stakes political moment rather than a policy debate. It crystallizes how symbolic gestures can shape public perception of the conflict and influence bargaining dynamics around prisoner exchanges. For supporters, the moment underscores Barghoutis resilience and leadership, while critics cast Ben Gvirs language as provocative rhetoric that risks inflaming tensions inside a fragile security environment.

Highlights

The scene shows how tightly political theater and real world consequences remain linked in the long struggle over Palestinian prisoners.