Hundreds of prominent cultural figures have signed an open letter calling on Israel to release Marwan Barghouti, the most prominent Palestinian detained by Israel.
Barghouti has been in an Israeli prison since the early 2000s. Al Jazeera reports that he is a prominent member of Fatah, the Palestinian political faction that controls the Palestinian Authority, which governs limited areas of the occupied West Bank.
He is serving five life sentences, plus 40 years for murder and attempted murder, charges he has consistently denied.
“We express grave concern about the continued imprisonment of Mr. Marwan Barghouti, his violent abuse and denial of his legal rights during his imprisonment,” said the statement, signed by more than 200 celebrities.
The list includes actors Tilda Swinton, Josh O’Connor and Mark Ruffalo. Authors: Margaret Atwood, Zadie Smith, Annie Ernaux. and musicians Brian Eno, Sting, and Paul Simon.
The Palestinians had called for Barghouti’s release as part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, but Israel refused to release him.