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The release of a video on Aug. 15 by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir thrust one of the most prominent Palestinian political figures behind bars back into the spotlight: Marwan Barghouti. The brief, heavily edited clip, circulated by Ben-Gvir’s office, shows the far-right minister storming into Barghouti’s prison cell in an apparent attempt to intimidate him. Only Ben-Gvir’s voice is heard, taunting the long-imprisoned leader, while Barghouti’s words are muted.

The 13-second video — the first public glimpse of Barghouti in years — sparked widespread condemnation from the Palestinian Authority and human rights groups. Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh described it as “the epitome of psychological, moral and physical terrorism.” Prisoner rights organizations report that Barghouti has been placed in solitary confinement since the deadly Hamas-led attacks on Israel in October 2023, with limited family and legal visits and scarce food. 

Al-Monitor spoke with Fadwa Barghouti, the wife of Marwan Barghouti, about the recent video and her husband’s continued imprisonment. Fadwa is a Palestinian lawyer from the West Bank village of Kobar who lives in Ramallah and is a member of Fatah’s Revolutionary Council. She has led the Association of Women Committees for Social Work since age 20 and has campaigned internationally for her husband’s release, gaining support from global leaders and Nobel laureates.