Barghouti: Marvel actors call for the release of the Palestinian leader
Call to put pressure on Israel. Among them are Benedict Cumberbatch and Cate Blanchett
Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Ruffalo, Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton are among a group of stars from the Marvel universe who have called for the release of Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti, who has been held in an Israeli prison since 2002.
More than 20 actors – including many British actors – from famous film franchises based on comic books, such as the X-Men and the Avengers, have signed a petition calling on the UN and governments around the world to put pressure on the State of Israel to secure their release.
The statement was released by the ‘Free Marwan’ campaign, launched by the family of Barghouti, and has already garnered the support of over 200 leading figures from the worlds of film, music and culture internationally.
“We express grave concern at the continued detention of Marwan Barghouti, the severe ill-treatment he has suffered and the denial of his rights whilst in prison,” the document states. It continues: “We call on the United Nations and governments around the world to take active steps to secure Marwan Barghouti’s release from Israeli prison.”
The writers Margaret Atwood and Annie Ernaux had already spoken out in favour of his release, as had music stars such as Sting, Paul Simon, Annie Lennox and Brian Eno.
