Tortured, Bloodied, and Isolated: Abdullah Al-Barghouthi’s Family Reveals Shocking Prison Abuse

Lawyers who recently visited Abdullah described scenes of horrifying abuse. One, who has followed his case for over 20 years, said he had never seen anything like it. “He was in shock. He told me there’s no way to describe Abdullah’s condition,” Mohammad recounted. According to the family, Israeli prison guards beat him repeatedly, broke his ribs, and then unleashed police dogs on his wounded body. In one incident, hot dish soap was reportedly poured over his skin after a torture session.

Despite the physical and psychological torment, Mohammad says Abdullah remains mentally strong. “He always reassures us. He talks about freedom like it’s near, as if he sees it already,” he said. The family has had almost no contact with him for two decades. His parents saw him only once, for 20 minutes. Phone calls are rare, and when they happen, Abdullah speaks briefly to his wife, children, or mother.

Abdullah, who holds Jordanian citizenship and comes from Beit Rima near Ramallah, has received 67 life sentences. He is accused of masterminding resistance operations during the Second Intifada. While behind bars, he wrote several books, including The Prince of Shadows, a memoir blending political ideology with personal reflection. His family believes his ideas, vision, and unwavering resilience continue to inspire. “He was always the leader in our family — even from inside prison,” Mohammad said.