More than 200 Hollywood film industry figures, including over 20 stars from the popular franchise, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, have signed a petition calling on Israel to release convicted Islamic terrorist Marwan Barghouti. Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange), Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk), and Don Cheadle (War Machine) are among the prominent names backing the international “Free Marwan” campaign.
הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם
The petition was organized by “freemarwannow,” part of a campaign launched by Barghouti’s family in late 2025 in partnership with several UK-based anti-Israel organizations. The involvement of prominent Hollywood figures drew criticism from some fans, who questioned why celebrities were taking public positions on a complex political and security issue.
The organizations behind the campaign posted on social media: “We express our grave concern at the continuing imprisonment of Marwan Barghouti, his violent mistreatment, and denial of legal rights whilst imprisoned. We call upon the United Nations and the Governments of the World to actively seek the release of Marwan Barghouti from Israeli prison.”
Barghouti, a senior Fatah official and Tanzim leader, was convicted in 2004 of five murders and sentenced to five life sentences plus 40 years in prison for responsibility in terror attacks that killed Israelis during the Second Intifada. He is currently serving his sentence at Hadarim Prison, in the wing designated for security prisoners. While the campaign presents him as a “political leader” and calls on the UN and world governments to work for his release, in Israel, the attacks for which he was convicted are well remembered.