The longest cumulative imprisonment in the history of the Palestinian National Prisoners’ Movement
November 20, 2024

Ramallah – Today, prisoner leader Nael Barghouthi marks the completion of his 44th year in Israeli prisons and enters his 45th year, setting a record as the longest cumulative detention in the history of the Palestinian National Prisoners' Movement.

Barghouthi, aged 67, from the town of Kober near Ramallah, has been facing imprisonment since 1978. He served 34 consecutive years in detention and was released in 2011 as part of the "Wafaa Al-Ahrar" prisoner exchange deal. However, in 2014, during a widespread arrest campaign targeting many released prisoners from the same deal, Barghouthi was rearrested. His previous life sentence plus 18 years were reinstated under the pretext of a "secret file."

This anniversary of his detention comes amidst the most violent period for the Palestinian people, with Israel continuing its systematic and ongoing genocide against the people of Gaza and escalating its brutal actions against prisoners in its detention centers. Since October 7, Palestinian prisoners, including leaders of the prisoners' movement like Barghouthi, have faced unprecedented torture, isolation, and deprivation. Barghouthi, along with his fellow prisoners, has endured repeated transfers and assaults. According to the latest reports, Barghouthi is currently held in Shata Prison.

These intensified measures and policies are not new but represent a continuation of Israel’s oppressive and retaliatory strategies since the occupation began. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been subjected to arrests, torture, and cruel treatment.

Key Milestones in the Life of Nael Barghouthi (Abu Al-Noor):

• Born: October 23, 1957, in the town of Kober. Arrested for the first time in 1978 and sentenced to life imprisonment plus 18 years. Over the 34 consecutive years he served, Israel refused to release him despite multiple prisoner exchange agreements.
• 2011 Release: On October 18, 2011, Barghouthi was released as part of the "Wafaa Al-Ahrar" prisoner exchange deal alongside hundreds of other detainees, including his comrade and freed prisoner Fakhri Barghouthi. He married released prisoner Aman Nafea after his release.
• Rearrest in 2014: On June 18, 2014, Israeli forces rearrested Barghouthi and sentenced him to 30 months. After serving this sentence, his original life imprisonment plus 18 years was reinstated, along with dozens of other prisoners from the 2011 exchange deal, many of whom are serving life sentences.
• Family Losses: In 2018, Israeli forces killed his nephew, Saleh Barghouthi, and arrested his brother Asem along with several family members. They also demolished two family homes as part of collective punishment. This year, Barghouthi's wife, Aman Nafea, was arrested and held under administrative detention for three months before her release. His sister, Hanan Barghouthi, remains in administrative detention.
• Personal Tragedies: In 2021, Barghouthi faced the loss of his brother and lifelong companion, Omar Barghouthi (Abu Asif), and was again denied the right to bid farewell to a loved one, as he was previously with his parents.
• Legal Appeals: For over six years, Barghouthi’s lawyer has been pursuing legal proceedings, including appeals and petitions against the reinstatement of his previous sentence. No decision has yet been made.

Messages from Nael Barghouthi:

Over his decades of detention, Barghouthi has sent many messages to the outside world, including:

• "The occupation's attempts to kill our humanity will only make us more humane."
• "If there truly were a free world as they claim, I would not still be in captivity today."