The Arab League statement condemned what it described as Israeli violations against Palestinian prisoners, calling for an international investigation following reports of an assault on imprisoned Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti.
CAIRO: The League of Arab States has issued a strong condemnation of what it described as continuing Israeli violations against Palestinian prisoners and detainees, following reports of an alleged assault on prominent Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti inside an Israeli prison.
In the Arab League statement, the regional organisation expressed deep concern over what it characterised as a systematic policy targeting Palestinian detainees. The League said the reported incident involving Barghouti highlighted what it considers ongoing violations of international humanitarian law and called for urgent international action.
What did the Arab League say?
According to the League, the reported treatment of Palestinian prisoners breaches the Geneva Conventions and other international legal obligations governing the treatment of detainees during armed conflicts.
The organisation said it holds the Israeli government responsible for Barghouti’s safety while in custody. It further alleged that the treatment of Palestinian prisoners amounts to war crimes and crimes against humanity, claims that have not been adjudicated by an international court.
The League also called for the establishment of an independent international commission of inquiry to investigate the reported incident and the wider conditions facing Palestinian prisoners.
In addition, it urged that an independent medical team be granted immediate access to Marwan Barghouti to assess his condition. The organisation said he should be transferred to a hospital if medical treatment is required.
The statement further called for an end to what it described as torture and other forms of ill-treatment of Palestinian detainees. It also renewed demands for the release of Palestinians held for political reasons.
Why is Marwan Barghouti significant?
Marwan Barghouti is one of the most prominent Palestinian political figures imprisoned by Israel. He has been serving multiple life sentences after being convicted by an Israeli court on charges related to attacks during the Second Intifada. Barghouti has consistently rejected the legitimacy of the proceedings, while many Palestinians regard him as a leading political figure.
His imprisonment has remained a sensitive issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with repeated calls from Palestinian organisations and regional bodies for his release. Israeli authorities, however, maintain that his convictions relate to serious security offences.
The Arab League statement comes amid continued international scrutiny of the humanitarian situation linked to the ongoing conflict. International organisations, governments and human rights groups have repeatedly called for all parties to comply with international humanitarian law and ensure the protection and humane treatment of detainees.
The League said it expects the international community and relevant organisations to take immediate action regarding its requests. Israeli authorities had not publicly responded to the League’s latest statement at the time it was issued.
As regional tensions continue, the treatment of prisoners remains one of the most contentious humanitarian issues connected to the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
