More than 20 actors who have appeared in Marvel films have joined a campaign calling for the release of Marwan Barghouti, a Palestinian convicted by an Israeli court of five counts of murder, according to an Instagram post published on Friday by the group freemarwannow.
More than 20 Marvel actors sign campaign calling for release of Marwan Barghouti
More than 20 actors who have appeared in Marvel films have joined a campaign calling for the release of Marwan Barghouti, a Palestinian convicted by an Israeli court of five counts of murder, according to an Instagram post published on Friday by the group freemarwannow.
Among the signatories identified in the post are Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays Doctor Strange; Mark Ruffalo, who plays the Hulk; Ian McKellen, who plays Magneto; and Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton. Campaign organizers say more than 200 cultural figures in total — including actors, musicians, writers, and directors — have signed.
The campaign statement reads: 'We express our grave concern at the continuing imprisonment of Marwan Barghouti, his violent mistreatment, and denial of legal rights whilst imprisoned. We call upon the United Nations and the Governments of the World to actively seek the release of Marwan Barghouti from Israeli prison.'
According to the post, Barghouti's family launched the campaign at the end of last year in coordination with organizations in the United Kingdom.
Barghouti is a former leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades. An Israeli court convicted him in 2004 of five counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, and sentenced him to five consecutive life terms plus 40 years in prison. Israel holds him responsible for a series of attacks between 2001 and 2002, including shootings and a suicide bombing, in which multiple Israelis were killed and dozens wounded.
Barghouti's supporters regard him as a de facto Palestinian leader and symbol of resistance, and many argue he was unjustly imprisoned and subjected to violence while in custody. A recent poll cited in the source found that 54% of likely voters said they would vote for him in a hypothetical Palestinian presidential election, making him the most popular candidate for Palestinian leadership according to that survey. In May, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa became the first sitting head of state to sign an international petition demanding his release, according to the source.
- The source does not state whether any of the named actors provided individual comments or statements beyond their signatures.
- The source does not identify the specific UK organizations with which Barghouti's family coordinated the campaign.
- The source does not state the total number of sitting heads of state or governments that have formally supported Barghouti's release.
- The source does not name the organization that conducted the poll showing 54% support for Barghouti in a hypothetical Palestinian presidential election, nor its sample size or methodology.
- The source does not include any response from the Israeli government to the campaign or to the actors' participation.
- The source does not state whether Barghouti himself or his legal representatives have commented on the campaign.
Read the original at The Jerusalem Post