Unjustly imprisoned for resisting oppression and fighting for the rights of his people, Marwan Barghouti is widely regarded as the Palestinian Nelson Mandela. He has spent almost 25 years in prison following a trial widely condemned by international observers for failing to meet basic standards of due process. Human rights organisations around the world have raised serious concerns about his torture in Israeli prisons and his deteriorating health.
Barghouti’s continued detention by Israel is seen as a major obstacle to reconciliation and a credible peace process. He commands broad support across Palestinian society and has consistently advocated for unity and democratic reform.
If Australia is serious about its recognition of the State of Palestine, it must call upon Israel to immediately and unconditionally release Marwan Barghouti.
“There can be no real peace without justice, and no justice without freedom.” — Marwan Barghouti
“Freedom is indivisible; the chains on any one of us are the chains on all of us.” — Nelson Mandela
Take action now: Email your MP with our template
Take Action Now to Support our Campaign
Free Palestine Melbourne is proud to be a part of the international Free Marwan campaign.
Our Freedom for Marwan Barghouti Now campaign is supported by Marwan's family, Yanis Varoufakis, Khalid Abdalla and Abby Martin.
Via our easy-to-use email template above, you can pressure all members of Parliament to demand Marwan Barghouti's freedom, advocate for independent monitoring of his health and prison conditions, call for the immediate release of all prisoners held without charge, and all political prisoners.
Purchase and wear our Free Marwan Barghouti campaign t-shirt to show your solidarity with Marwan and call for his release.
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A Message to Free Palestine Melbourne from Arab Barghouthi
“For the world it marks 24 years of his imprisonment, but for me it marks 24 years since the last time I hugged my father, a pain shared by thousands of Palestinian families. So at this critical moment, as our cause risks being erased, we ask you to stand with us, demand his release, and uphold the hope he represents for justice, freedom and democratic renewal.”
Why Australia Must Act
Australia has recognised the State of Palestine, and reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the conflict. Barghouti's case is no longer a distant issue. The injustice of his imprisonment, the repeated concerns raised by international legal bodies, and his role as one of the most widely supported Palestinian leaders makes his situation directly relevant to Australia's stated principles: respect for international law, support for human rights and the pursuit of a durable peace.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union, representing over 180 national parliaments, found "numerous breaches of international law" and concluded Barghouti did not receive a fair trial.
The Elders, founded by Nelson Mandela, and Nobel laureates including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, President Jimmy Carter, and José Ramos-Horta, have called for his release.
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and multiple UN bodies have repeatedly raised concerns about his treatment and deteriorating health.
Standing for justice in Barghouti's case aligns with Australia's commitment to peace and human rights.
Webinar: Breaking the Chain
Free Palestine Melbourne and the Australian Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) proudly presented the webinar Breaking the Chain: Freedom for Palestinian Political Prisoners on Wednesday 15 April 2026. Hear the truth from behind the bars, and demand freedom for Palestinian political prisoners.
Speakers:
- Arab Barghouthi, Renowned Palestinian prisoners’ rights advocate and son of Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti
- Ben Marmarelli, Israeli human rights lawyer representing Marwan Barghouti
- Sahar Francis, General Director of human rights organisation Addameer Palestine
- Maher Mughrabi, Palestinian journalist and writer
Marwan Barghouti's Story
Palestine's Most Respected Leader
Marwan Barghouti is a leading advocate for Palestinian justice and self-determination. He is Palestine's most respected and trusted politician – polls have shown he is the most popular Palestinian politician who will unite Palestine as its next President.
Barghouti has been named the most important political prisoner held by Israel.
He has been languishing in an Israeli jail for more than 23 years after an illegitimate and deeply flawed trial set up to silence him. He has spent long periods in solitary confinement and has suffered physical and psychological torture on numerous occasions.
Just as national leaders Nelson Mandela and Xanana Gusmão were imprisoned for fighting for their people's freedom and human rights, so too has Marwan Barghouti.
Early Life and Political Rise
Born in 1959 in the West Bank village of Kobar, Barghouti grew up against the backdrop of the 1967 illegal Israeli occupation, becoming active as a teenager in student politics and grassroots organising. As a young man he joined Fatah, the principal Palestinian nationalist movement, and his involvement soon led to his first arrest in 1978. He spent more than four years in Israeli prison, an experience that strengthened rather than diminished his commitment to justice and political activism.
After his release, Barghouti studied at Birzeit University, where he quickly became a prominent figure in the student leadership. He helped organise campus political activity, worked to mobilise Palestinian youth, and developed a broad base of support among young activists.
When the First Intifada erupted in 1987, Israel deported him to Jordan, but his political work continued in exile as he maintained close ties with Fatah's leadership and contributed to shaping the movement's direction.
Barghouti returned to the West Bank after the signing of the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s, stepping directly into a growing leadership role. In 1994, he became Secretary-General of Fatah in the West Bank and later helped establish the Tanzim, a grassroots faction created to engage younger Palestinians and strengthen Fatah from within. His influence continued to rise as he became known for calling for internal reform, speaking out against corruption and promoting a more representative political system.
In 1996, Barghouti was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council as part of the new Palestinian Authority's political institutions. By this stage, he had become one of the most recognisable leaders of his generation, capable of bridging generational and political divides within Palestinian society. He spoke persuasively, in Hebrew and Arabic, about negotiations and political solutions, and advocated for a political resolution grounded in international law and the rights of Palestinians to self-determination.
Arrest, Trial and Ongoing Imprisonment
In 2002, during the Second Intifada, Israeli forces arrested Barghouti in Ramallah, during one of the largest Israeli military attacks in the West Bank since 1967. He was transferred to Israel, a move that immediately drew international criticism for violating the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the transfer of people from occupied territory. Once in Tel Aviv, Barghouti was interrogated under conditions that his lawyers and family reported involved torture, prolonged isolation and limited access to legal counsel. His arrest marked the beginning of a prolonged period of imprisonment that has now lasted more than two decades.
It is important to acknowledge that Barghouti was arrested for exercising his right under the United Nations charter to resist an illegal occupation of Palestine. Nelson Mandela was jailed for resisting an illegal Apartheid regime and Xanana Gusmão was jailed for resisting the illegal Indonesian occupation of East Timor. Both represented their people's aspirations and after long periods in jail became highly respected leaders of their country. A similar destiny awaits Marwan Barghouti upon his release.
From the outset, serious concerns were raised about the conditions surrounding his detention and the fairness of the legal process. Barghouti was tried by an Israeli civilian court in proceedings that numerous international observers later concluded fell far short of basic standards of due process. Barghouti refused to recognise the illegal court proceedings and has always maintained his innocence.
Parliamentary bodies and legal organisations highlighted multiple irregularities, including restrictions on his ability to communicate confidentially with his lawyers, limits on presenting a full defence, and the use of evidence that was widely questioned. The political climate surrounding the trial, with public statements from senior Israeli officials prejudging his guilt, further undermined the integrity of the process.
Barghouti rightly rejected the legitimacy of the court, insisting that as a representative of a people living under occupation, he should be dealt with in accordance with international law, not prosecuted in the domestic courts of the occupying power. His conviction and sentencing are illegitimate and were followed by years of harsh imprisonment, including extended periods in solitary confinement and significant restrictions on family visits. More recently he has been tortured on multiple occasions.
Despite his imprisonment, Barghouti has continued to play a central role in Palestinian political life. From prison he contributed to negotiations, supported calls for political unity, and co-authored the 2006 "Prisoners' Document", which set out a path toward national reconciliation. His continued influence reflects the broad support he holds across Palestinian society, and the belief shared by many analysts that his involvement is essential for any credible peace process.
Immediate Threats to His Life
Israel has banned the International Red Cross from seeing Barghouti, in breach of international law, and the Palestinian Prisoners' Club has expressed grave concerns for his life.
On 14 September 2025, Barghouti was beaten unconscious by eight Israeli guards, breaking four ribs. This was his fourth assault in two years.
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese fears for his life. Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir has publicly threatened him with execution.
His family fears Barghouti will be killed if he is not immediately released.
Other Ways to Support
- Learn more: Visit the global Free Marwan campaign led by his family
- Watch: Tomorrow's Freedom – a documentary filmed over five years with intimate access to Marwan's family and colleagues (available on streaming services)
- Share: Spread awareness on social media using #FreeMarwan #MarwanBarghouti
- Attend: Join upcoming events demanding the release of Marwan Barghouti and all Palestinian political prisoners
Resources & Further Reading
Campaign Materials
Recent News & Statements
- The Guardian (29 November 2025) Global 'Free Marwan' campaign calls for Palestinian political leader’s release
- Yanis Varoufakis on Marwan Barghouti
- Francesca Albanese (16 October 2025) 'I fear for the life of Marwan Barghouti'
- Al Jazeera (16 October 2025) Marwan Barghouti’s son says family fears for his life in Israeli prison
- Ben-Gvir August 2025 video threat
- ABC News Australia (6 October 2025) The man most Palestinians want as their leader has spent years in solitary confinement
- The Guardian (16 April 2026) Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti facing 'escalating abuse' in Israeli jails
- London Review of Books (9 July 2026) ‘I would never release him’ Muhammad Shehada on Marwan Barghouti and Palestine’s future
- Middle East Monitor (14 July 2026) Israeli prison guard shoots Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti in the leg
International Recognition
- Robben Island Declaration – including Archbishop Desmond Tutu