RAMALLAH: Prominent Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti’s son has said Israeli guards beat his father during a prison transfer last month, an accusation denied by Israel’s prison authorities.
“Eight guards started beating him up until he passed out,” Arab Barghouti told AFP on Wednesday, describing an incident he said took place on September 14.
Arab Barghouti said he only learnt of the attack after five other inmates who had been with his father were able to communicate with the outside world.
Barghouti, in his 60s, is serving multiple life sentences since 2002 for deadly attacks on Israelis.
A senior leader of Fatah party, he is often described by supporters as the “Palestinian Mandela.”
An Israel Prison Service spokesperson called the reports “fake,” saying the service “operates in accordance with the law, while ensuring the safety and health of all inmates.”
Arab Barghouti said the alleged assault happened while his father was being transferred from Ganot prison in the south to Megiddo in the north.
Israel’s Prison Service declined to share Barghouti’s current location.
Arab Barghouti said the guards responsible for his transfer were the ones who attacked Barghouti.
“He got some ribs broken and (the five other inmates) said that when he got to Megiddo prison, they were shocked that he could barely walk,” Arab said adding that his father “couldn’t walk for days” as a result.
Barghouti is among several high-profile inmates whose release Hamas sought during a recent prisoner exchange conducted under a US-brokered ceasefire deal.
In a video he shared on social media in August, Israel’s National Security Minister and far-right firebrand Itamar Ben Gvir was seen visiting Barghouti in jail.
“Whoever tries to attack the people of Israel, whoever tries to murder our children, whoever tries to murder our women, we will wipe them out,” Ben Gvir is seen telling a physically diminished and handcuffed Barghouti.
Israeli guards beat Palestinian prisoner Barghouti, says son
https://arab.news/wwzad
Israeli guards beat Palestinian prisoner Barghouti, says son
- Barghouti is among several high-profile inmates whose release Hamas sought during a recent prisoner exchange
- He is serving multiple life sentences since 2002 for deadly attacks on Israelis
Anti-Daesh coalitions issues joint statement after Riyadh meeting
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia hosted a meeting of senior diplomatic and defense officials from the Small Group of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh in Riyadh on Monday.
Saudi Vice Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji opened the meeting, which was co-chaired by US Special Envoy for Syria Ambassador Tom Barrack.
Participants expressed their appreciation to the Kingdom for hosting the meeting and for its continued role in supporting regional and international efforts to counter terrorism and promote stability.
Participants welcomed the comprehensive agreement between the Government of Syria and the Syrian Democratic Forces, including the permanent ceasefire and arrangements for the civil and military integration of northeast Syria.
They noted the Government of Syria’s stated intention to assume national leadership of counter-Daesh efforts and expressed appreciation for the sacrifices made by the Syrian Democratic Forces in the fight against Daesh.
Participants also thanked the Government of Iraq for its continued leadership in the Defeat Daesh campaign.
The participants reaffirmed their priorities, including the swift transfer and safeguarding of Daesh detainees, third-country repatriation, the dignified reintegration of families from Al-Hol and Roj camps to their communities of origin, and continued coordination with Damascus and Baghdad on the future of the Defeat Daesh campaign in Syria and Iraq.
Participants welcomed the Syrian government as the 90th member of the D-Daesh Coalition. Coalition members underscored their readiness to work closely with the Syrian government and encouraged members to provide direct support to Syrian and Iraqi efforts.
Coalition defense officials highlighted the close coordination between diplomatic and military lines of effort.
Participants received briefings on the current Defeat Daesh campaign, including ongoing detainee transfer operations.
Officials commended Iraq’s efforts to securely detain Daesh fighters and welcomed Syria’s assumption of responsibility for detention facilities and displacement camps housing Daesh fighters and their family members.
Participants reiterated the need for countries to take responsibility for and repatriate their nationals from Iraq and Syria.
Coalition members thanked Iraq for its leadership and recognized that the transfer of detainees into Iraqi custody is essential to regional security.
They reaffirmed their shared commitment to defeating Daesh in Iraq and Syria and pledged continued support to both governments in securing Daesh-affiliated detainees.
