Palestinian peace and political activist Marwan Barghouti — known as “Palestine’s Mandela” — has been illegally held by Israel for almost twenty-four years. A rigged trial convicted him of charges of violence that no credible observer believes he committed, including Israeli peace activism group Gush Shalom, which continues to campaign for his freedom. He consistently polls as the preferred presidential candidate among Palestinians
In spite of the decades of his life lost to Israel’s injustice, he continues to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the occupation. Despite the opportunity to release him, along with other political prisoners, as part of the exchange of captives in the recent ‘ceasefire’ deal, Israel continues to hold him.
Now UK campaign group Led by Donkeys — whose leaders know just a little about state persecution after being charged for daring to hang an anti-genocide banner outside the Labour party’s Southside HQ in London — has created a mural in Barghouti’s honour. It demands his freedom and that of all political prisoners. It is accompanied by a video on their social media with a soundtrack of his last address, almost twenty years ago, to the international media:
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Rather than fight for the freedom of political prisoners in Israel — some ten thousand of them — the UK regime of Keir Starmer continues to collaborate in Israel’s genocide. It has even taken opponents as political prisoners, without trial, to protect Israel’s interests.
Free Marwan now. Free the Filton 24 and all other political prisoners in Israel, the UK and wherever they are held.
Featured image via Free Marwan Now
By Skwawkbox
This post was originally published on Canary.