A bronze statue of convicted Palestinian terrorist Marwan Barghouti has been placed on a London rooftop, The Jewish Chronicle reported. The life-size figure stands on a plinth on top of Palestine House, which is described as a 'cultural embassy' for Palestinians.
Barghouti's statue portrays him with his hands raised above his head in handcuffs, and featuring an apparent 'V' for victory gesture, mirroring Barghouti's pose when he was pictured being led to a police vehicle in September 2003. He is serving five life sentences in an Israeli prison for his role in organizing terror attacks between 2001 and 2002 in which five civilians were killed. Alex Hearn, of Labour Against Antisemitism, stated: "Barghouti was convicted of being behind the murders of at least five civilians in Israel, including a Greek Orthodox monk."
Hearn further stated "these are not achievements to be commemorated with a statue," adding that "he is not a political prisoner. If this is the best symbol Palestine House can muster, then it reflects badly on their movement." The statue was originally brought to Parliament Square in June by activists campaigning for Barghouti's release. Police prevented it from being placed there, and the activists removed it, according to The Jewish Chronicle.
It has now appeared at Palestine House in Holborn, central London, which was set up by Palestinian filmmaker and activist Osama Qashoo. The venue hosts cultural events, including film screenings, book launches, poetry gatherings and exhibitions, and describes itself as a place for Palestinians to meet and connect. Barghouti, 66, is a senior figure in the Palestinian Fatah movement and has remained influential despite being imprisoned in Israel. He was convicted by an Israeli court in 2004 and received five consecutive life sentences and an additional 40 years.
Supporters continue campaigning for his release and regard him as a symbol of Palestinian resistance while critics voice strong opposition on social media over honoring a man convicted of murdering civilians.
