Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) called Friday for Israel to free Marwan Barghouti, who is serving five life sentences for attacks that killed Israelis, as the midterm elections approach.
“I am calling for the release of Marwan Barghouti from Israeli prison,” Khanna wrote on X.
In a video accompanying the post, Khanna said Palestinians should choose their own leaders and argued that Barghouti could help bring about a Palestinian state living in peace with Israel.
“Palestinians must choose their own leaders. Barghouti has a unique standing among all Palestinian factions,” Khanna said. “He’s seen as non-corrupt, a strong leader, and secular. Barghouti could deliver a Palestinian state living in peace with Israel.”
An Israeli court convicted Barghouti in 2004 on five counts of murder and one count of attempted murder for attacks that killed a Greek Orthodox monk and four other people. The court sentenced him to five consecutive life terms plus additional prison time.
