Nael Barghouti Freed: The World’s Longest-Serving Political Prisoner Released from Israeli Jail

Nael Barghouti, recognized as the world’s longest-serving political prisoner, has recently been released from an Israeli prison after enduring nearly two-thirds of his life behind bars. This significant event marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Barghouti, aged 67, was freed as part of a prisoner exchange agreement, highlighting the complexities of political negotiations in the region.

Having spent a staggering 45 years in Israeli custody, including an uninterrupted 34-year sentence, Nael Barghouti holds the title of the longest-serving political prisoner globally, as documented by the 2009 Guinness World Records. Known by his fellow detainees as “Abu al-Nour,” he is the oldest Palestinian prisoner in Israeli jails.

Barghouti was initially released during the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange, returning to his hometown of Kobar, situated near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. However, in 2014, he was re-arrested by Israeli authorities, who claimed he violated the terms of his release, leading to the reinstatement of his life sentence.

This time, after his recent release, Barghouti’s family revealed that he agreed to live in exile outside of Palestine to avoid the risk of re-arrest by Israeli forces.

Background and Early Life

Nael Barghouti was born on 23 October 1957 in the Palestinian village of Kobar, north of Ramallah. He hailed from a lineage of fighters who actively resisted both British and Israeli occupations of Palestine. His family history includes:

• Father’s Detention: His father was detained by British forces.
• Uncle’s Death: His uncle was killed during the Great Arab Revolt in 1936.

At the tender age of 10, Barghouti witnessed the Israeli invasion of his village during the 1967 war, which marked the beginning of the longest occupation in modern history. According to his sister, Hanan Barghouti, this traumatic experience ignited his journey of resistance.

From a young age, Barghouti participated in protests against Israeli forces, including throwing stones and painting anti-occupation slogans. His political activism escalated in the mid-1970s, leading to his first arrest in December 1977, where he spent three months in jail. Shortly after his release, he was arrested again, which resulted in a 34-year incarceration following a life sentence for killing an Israeli officer.

Life in Prison

During his extensive incarceration, Barghouti developed a reputation as an avid reader and a history enthusiast. He also learned Hebrew and English, earning him the nickname of the “dean of prisoners” due to his seniority and popularity among fellow inmates.

One poignant moment during his imprisonment involved a heartfelt connection to his homeland. Barghouti smuggled lemon seeds to his mother, asking her to plant them in their yard, thereby maintaining a bond with his land. During family visits, he would provide her with water for the tree, and once it bore fruit, she would smuggle the lemons back to him.

Barghouti proposed to Iman Nafi, a Palestinian woman he learned about through a television report, while in prison. Nafi was arrested in 1987 for planning an attack against Israel and was released in 1997. Their relationship flourished despite the circumstances, with Nafi referring to Barghouti as a “Palestinian hero.”

Barghouti’s political affiliations also evolved during his time in prison. Originally a member of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah), he shifted his allegiance to Hamas in the 1990s after Fatah established relations with Israel and moved away from armed resistance.

Release and Aftermath

On 18 October 2011, Barghouti was released as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange, which involved swapping 1,047 Palestinians for an Israeli soldier. After his release, he pursued a degree in history at the Al-Quds Open University and married Iman Nafi a month later. He celebrated this union as a significant victory over imprisonment, stating:

“They denied us freedom but didn’t kill our determination to break our chains. Now, I can say that Iman and I will embark on a new journey as we are about to start yet another family in this great nation.”

Barghouti and Nafi dedicated their time to cultivating their land while he was under house arrest. However, on 18 June 2014, he was arrested again during a crackdown that affected several other prisoners released in the 2011 exchange. His sentence was extended due to a “secret file” provided by Israeli authorities, despite his lawyers’ attempts to contest the decision.

Reports in late 2023 indicated a decline in Barghouti’s health while in custody, particularly after being transferred from Ofer Prison to Gilboa Prison, where he reportedly faced severe mistreatment. Recently, Nafi confirmed that Barghouti was set to be released, but with the condition of living in exile, a requirement imposed by Israel. Media reports indicate he arrived in Egypt shortly after his release.

This release sheds light on the ongoing humanitarian issues and the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as the story of Nael Barghouti continues to resonate with many as a symbol of resilience and struggle.