Nael Barghouti: The World’s Longest-Serving Political Prisoner Set for Release

Nael Barghouti, the world’s longest-serving political prisoner, is finally set for release. His family confirmed that he called them on Tuesday to share the news. After spending over 44 years in Israeli prisons, he is expected to be freed in the upcoming batch of the prisoner exchange deal between Hamas movement and the occupation state of Israel. His family noted that he will be exiled from his homeland. The exact date and location of his release remain unclear, but sources suggest it could happen this Thursday or Saturday.

A Life Behind Bars

Born on October 23, 1957, in the village of Kobar, north of Ramallah, Nael Barghouti was just 20 years old when Israeli forces arrested him in 1978. He was convicted of neutralizing an Israeli soldier and sentenced to life in prison plus 18 years. Over the decades, political shifts and generations of resistance came and went, but Barghouti remained behind bars.

In 2011, he was finally released as part of “Wafaa Al-Ahrar” prisoner exchange deal. He married former prisoner Iman Nafi’ and began rebuilding his life. But in 2014, Israeli forces rearrested him, along with dozens of others freed in the swap. Authorities cited a “secret file” to reinstate his original life sentence, despite his years of imprisonment.

For the past decade, Barghouti has been a symbol of Palestinian resilience. His story reflects the struggles of thousands of prisoners who remain behind bars under Israel’s harsh military policies.

A Family Under Fire

Barghouti’s imprisonment is just a small part of his family’s suffering. In 2018, Israeli forces killed his nephew, Saliḥ Barghouti. His brother, Asim, was arrested soon after. Their home was demolished as part of Israel’s collective punishment policies. In 2021, Barghouti lost his older brother, Umar, to COVID-19. The Israeli authorities denied him the right to say goodbye. His only sister, Hanan, was arrested in 2023 and placed under administrative detention without charge.

Despite all of this, Nael Barghouti never lost hope. Fellow prisoners describe him as a wise and steadfast figure. He is known for his deep knowledge of Palestinian history, his love of books, and his ability to inspire younger detainees. Even after 44 years in prison, he remains committed to the cause of Palestinian liberation.

Freedom But at a Cost

While his release is a moment of joy, the forced exile casts a shadow over it. Barghouti will not return to his beloved village of Kobar. Instead, he will be sent to an undisclosed country. For a man who has spent his entire life behind bars, this is yet another form of displacement.

Palestinians see his release as a small victory in their ongoing struggle. But it also raises difficult questions. How many more prisoners will be rearrested despite exchange deals? How many will face exile instead of true freedom? And when will the cycle of imprisonment and displacement finally end?

As the world watches, one thing is certain: Nael Barghouti’s story is not just about one man. It is about the resilience of a people who refuse to be broken.