Barghouti Statue Placed on London Building Roof Sparks Outrage

A large bronze statue of convicted Palestinian terrorist Marwan Barghouti has been erected on the roof of "Palestine House" in London's Holborn district, drawing sharp criticism in the UK. The statue depicts Barghouti with raised, manacled hands forming a V-sign, recreating a gesture he made upon his arrest in September 2003. It is placed on a base atop the building, which serves as a cultural center for the Palestinian community in London. The statue was previously brought to Parliament Square in June by pro-Palestinian activists calling for Barghouti's release, but police prevented its installation, forcing its removal. "Palestine House," established by Palestinian filmmaker and activist Osama Kashou, defines itself as a cultural embassy for Palestinians, hosting film screenings, book launches, poetry readings, and exhibitions. Barghouti, 66, was convicted in Israel in 2004 and sentenced to five consecutive life terms plus 40 years for his involvement in attacks that killed five civilians in 2001-2002. Supporters portray him as a symbol of the Palestinian struggle, while critics argue that immortalizing him in a statue glorifies severe crimes. Social media also saw calls for the statue's removal, with critics deeming it an inappropriate commemoration of a figure convicted of murdering civilians. Alex Haim from the "Labour Against Antisemitism" movement criticized the statue's placement, stating that Barghouti's conviction for murder makes him unworthy of such commemoration and that he is not a political prisoner.