Israeli far-right Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has doubled Tel Aviv’s recent international losses with unprecedented threats against the imprisoned leader Marwan Barghouti during a visit to his cell. This sparked media and organizational backlash worldwide against Israel, which is already suffering from an international ‘tsunami’ due to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. According to the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel faced a new international humiliation because of Ben Gvir’s actions. The Palestinian prisoners’ issue was brought back to the international forefront, with Barghouti achieving political, media, legal, and humanitarian victories. The visit, amid a new political wave against Israel, dominated global headlines. The Wall Street Journal described it as the ‘first glimpse of the popular Palestinian leader in years,’ Sky News published a profile, and the BBC called the incident ‘psychological terrorism.’ Barghouti’s wife told CNN she had difficulty recognizing him.

The event attracted global media attention as more countries recognize a Palestinian state. The unusual and publicized visit to Barghouti’s cell, considered the leading candidate to succeed President Abbas, was covered extensively by major international media, all critical of Israel. Headlines included ‘First look in years at a popular Palestinian leader’ (Wall Street Journal) and ‘Far-right Israeli minister mocks senior Palestinian prisoner’ (BBC). Ben Gvir met Barghouti in the presence of the Prison Service Commissioner, Gondar Yakubi. In the video, Ben Gvir said to Barghouti, ‘You will not win. Whoever messes with the people of Israel, whoever kills children and women, we will annihilate them. You must know this. Throughout history.’ The Wall Street Journal noted Barghouti’s rare appearance, a unifying figure in Palestinian politics, giving the event a broad political dimension beyond Ben Gvir’s provocation.

Barghouti, serving five life sentences, is still seen as a potential leader after Abbas, making this public appearance highly significant. Several international media noted reports of Barghouti being beaten multiple times by guards after prison conditions tightened post-October 7, which Israel denied despite medical reports. The BBC focused on condemnations from the Palestinian Authority leadership, titling its coverage ‘Far-right Israeli minister mocks senior Palestinian prisoner.’ The incident caused uproar amid the escalating crisis between Israel and the international community. CNN confirmed the video’s release brought Barghouti back to public debate, highlighting his status as the most popular Palestinian political leader. The Guardian linked the incident directly to the ‘hardline Israeli government,’ describing Barghouti as ‘almost alien’ after years of solitary confinement. It noted that Ben Gvir’s video release was not seen as routine but a calculated political move.

The incident was also linked to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s statement about expanding settlements and attempting to ‘bury’ the idea of a Palestinian state. The United Nations responded, with spokesperson Stefan Dujarric calling the video concerning and urging guarantees for Barghouti’s rights and safety.