Itamar Ben Gvir, a far-right Israeli minister, is shown mocking Marwan Barghouti, the most well-known Palestinian prisoner, in his cell in recently released social media footage.
The video has been denounced by the Palestinian Authority. Hussein al-Sheikh, its vice president, called it "the epitome of psychological, moral, and physical terrorism."
This 13-second video clip marks Barghouti's first public appearance in years. He looks thin and old.
Ben Gvir, Israel's minister of national security, informs him: "You won't prevail. We will exterminate anyone who mistreats the Israelites, kills our women, or tampers with our children.
Ben Gvir continues while Barghouti tries to interrupt, saying, "You need to know this, throughout history."
Israel imprisoned 66-year-old Marwan Barghouti more than 20 years ago after he was found guilty of organizing attacks that murdered five civilians. He is incarcerated for 40 years plus five life terms.
He continues to be the most popular Palestinian leader, according to opinion polls, and Palestinians would choose him over Hamas leaders or current Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a presidential election.
He continues to hold a prominent position within the Fatah faction, which controls the PA. Israel targeted him because he was a key figure in the Second Palestinian Intifada, or revolt, which took place between 2000 to 2005.
The video was reposted on Ben Gvir's X account after first appearing on message groups for his supporters on Thursday.
The minister claims he will "repeat it again and again without apologizing" after reading that "all sorts of "high officials"" in the PA did not appreciate what he said.
Barghouti has been kept in solitary confinement since the deadly Hamas-led strikes on Israel on October 7, 2023, according to Palestinian prisoner rights organizations. The Israeli prison service refuted their claims that guards "brutally assaulted" him in his cell last year.
According to the Palestinian Prisoners' Club's leader, Abdullah al-Zaghari, Israel is attempting "to eliminate him and assassinate the leaders languishing in its prisons" in response to the latest film.
Hamas is thought to have asked for the release of Barghouti as part of an exchange agreement for the other hostages it is holding. It is highly improbable, though, that Israel would release him.
Barghouti, who speaks Hebrew fluently, can be seen nodding and attempting to interrupt Ben Gvir as he speaks in the video, but the brief tape cuts off before he can.
Fadwa, his wife, suggested to her husband's supporters that only one clip from the film be aired going forward since she thought it demonstrated his strength.
Barghouti is highly regarded by Palestinians as the man who can best bring disparate political groups together and engage in peace talks with Israel.
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