Trump Considers Urging Israel to Release Palestinian Leader Marwan Barghouti

Post by : Saif Nasser

U.S. President Donald Trump is considering whether to ask Israel to release Marwan Barghouti, a well-known Palestinian political leader who has been in prison for more than 20 years. Trump said in a recent interview with Time magazine that he is still thinking about the matter and will make a decision soon.

Barghouti, 66, was sentenced in 2004 to five life terms and 40 additional years in prison after being convicted of planning attacks on Israelis during the second Palestinian uprising, known as the Intifada. He denies the charges. Despite being in prison, Barghouti remains influential among Palestinians and is respected within the Fatah movement. Many see him as a figure similar to the late Palestinian president Yasser Arafat.

Trump’s interest in Barghouti is linked to his efforts to maintain peace in the region. Earlier this month, he helped negotiate a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas after two years of conflict. The deal involved Israel receiving 20 remaining hostages from Gaza in exchange for releasing about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israel has also received the remains of 15 deceased hostages.

The question of who leads the Palestinians is a key issue. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, 89, governs parts of the West Bank, while Hamas controls Gaza. Abbas was elected in 2005 for a four-year term, but elections have been repeatedly delayed. Trump, Israel, and other Western and Arab allies want Hamas to give up power and disarm.

There are reports from two recently freed Palestinian prisoners that Barghouti was beaten unconscious by eight Israeli security officers during a prison transfer on September 14. The Israel Prison Service called these claims “fake” and said it follows the law to protect inmates’ safety.

Trump has also strongly opposed the annexation of the West Bank by Israel, which some far-right Israeli lawmakers have recently supported. He told Time magazine that annexation “won’t happen” because he promised Arab countries that it would not, and violating this could harm U.S.-Israel relations.

In Israel, a bill led by opposition lawmakers and supported by far-right figures, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, passed a preliminary vote in parliament. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office called it a “political provocation” meant to create division during U.S. officials’ visit.

Barghouti’s potential release could help unite Palestinians and strengthen moderate leadership in the West Bank, which is critical for long-term peace efforts in the region. Trump’s decision on whether to push for Barghouti’s freedom is seen as part of his broader strategy to stabilize Gaza and maintain the fragile ceasefire.