Marvel actors join campaign for release of Marwan Barghouti

More than 200 prominent figures from the film, music, and literary worlds, including numerous actors from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, have joined the ‘Free Marwan Now’ campaign. The initiative, launched by the family of Palestinian politician Marwan Barghouti, calls on the United Nations and global governments to advocate for his release from Israeli custody.

Barghouti, a former Fatah official and a significant figure during the First Intifada, is currently serving multiple life sentences. Supporters have expressed grave concerns regarding his treatment in prison, citing reports of violent mistreatment and the denial of his legal rights. He has been held in solitary confinement since 2023.

Notable signatories of the appeal include actors Mark Ruffalo, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ian McKellen, Don Cheadle, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, and Hugo Weaving. Barghouti, often referred to by commentators as the ‘Palestinian Nelson Mandela,’ is viewed by supporters as a figure capable of bridging various Palestinian political factions.