More than 200 prominent cultural figures have signed a letter demanding the immediate release of Marwan Barghouti. The signatories considered the struggle for Barghouti's release akin to the campaign dedicated to freeing Nelson Mandela, as he is viewed as a figure capable of uniting the factions and offering the best hope for the faltering mission of establishing a Palestinian state. The prestigious and diverse group demanding his release in an open letter includes a number of prominent names, among them the writers Margaret Atwood, Philip Pullman, Zadie Smith, and Annie Ernaux; the actors Sir Ian McKellen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Josh O'Connor, and Mark Ruffalo, in addition to the broadcaster and former soccer player Gary Lineker, according to The Guardian. There is Israeli anger at that campaign, which has been described as antisemitic and bearing ideas that threaten Israel's existence. https://x.com/tamerqdh/status/1996202623041511523
