Hollywood actors campaign for release of Marwan Barghouti

More than 20 Hollywood actors, including Mark Ruffalo, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, and Tilda Swinton, have joined a campaign calling for the release of Marwan Barghouti. The activists describe Barghouti as a ‘Palestinian political prisoner’ and have compared his imprisonment to that of Nelson Mandela.

Barghouti, a leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, was convicted in an Israeli civilian court for five murders, attempted murder, and membership in a terrorist organization. He is currently serving five life sentences. The convictions involved the deaths of Georgios Tsibouktzakis, a Greek Orthodox monk; Yoela Hen, an American citizen; and Eli Dahan, Yosef Habi, and Salim Barakat during an attack on a Tel Aviv restaurant.

While the campaign draws parallels to Mandela, reports note that Barghouti was convicted for deliberate attacks against civilians. The Israeli court acquitted him of 21 other charges due to insufficient evidence, but maintained the convictions based on verified operational responsibility.