Marvel actors demand the release of Palestinian politician Marwan Barghouti
The appeal brings cultural-sector pressure to Barghouti’s case and asks the UN and governments to seek his release from Israeli prison.
teisipäev, 25. august 2026 20:11
More than 20 actors who have appeared in Marvel universe films and TV series have joined a campaign calling for Palestinian politician Marwan Barghouti’s release from Israeli prison, Anadolu Agency reported.
The Free Marwan Now campaign, launched by Barghouti’s family and supporters, says he has been held in solitary confinement since 2023. It said on Instagram last week: “We express our grave concern at the continuing imprisonment of Marwan Barghouti, his violent mistreatment and denial of legal rights whilst imprisoned.”
The campaign says it has drawn support from more than 200 figures in film, music, literature and other cultural fields. Its statement added: “We call upon the United Nations and the Governments of the World to actively seek the release of Marwan Barghouti from Israeli prison.”
Signatories include Ian McKellen, identified as Magneto in the X-Men series, Rebecca Hall, Riz Ahmed, Jason Flemyng, Elliot Page, Hugo Weaving, Zawe Ashton, Emma Corrin, May Calamawy, Brian Cox, Dan Stevens, Rob Delaney and Kingsley Ben-Adir. Marvel Cinematic Universe actors listed include Mark Ruffalo, Benedict Cumberbatch and Don Cheadle, who played Bruce Banner/the Hulk, Doctor Strange and James Rhodes/War Machine, respectively, along with Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Tatiana Maslany and Daniel Bruhl.
Barghouti was born on June 6, 1958, in Kobar, northwest of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, and joined Fatah at 15. Israel arrested him in 1976, detained him several more times during his university years, deported him to Jordan after the First Intifada began in 1987, and he returned to the West Bank in 1994 under the Oslo Accords.
Barghouti was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council in 1996 and later became Fatah’s secretary-general. Israeli forces arrested him at his Ramallah home in 2002, and an Israeli court later convicted him on charges including murder and attempted murder in connection with attacks during the Second Intifada that killed five people, sentencing him to five life terms plus 40 years; in February 2024, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir ordered him transferred from Ofer Military Prison to Ramon Prison, where he was placed in solitary confinement.
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