Israeli Lawmaker Demands Restrictions on Marwan Barghouti's Prison Communications Over Election Influence

Israeli Member of Knesset Osher Shekalim has called for a halt to the prison visits and phone calls of Marwan Barghouti, a Palestinian security prisoner, following a report by the Israel Prison Service (IPS) alleging Barghouti's involvement in influencing Arab voters ahead of the Israeli elections. Shekalim, speaking on Channel 14's "Yoman Tzohorayim," said he sent a letter to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Shin Bet chief David Zini demanding tighter restrictions on Barghouti's external contacts.

Shekalim expressed outrage at Barghouti's reported close ties with Arab Knesset members who seek his endorsement to unify the Arab political lists, which Shekalim said undermines Israeli democracy. He questioned Barghouti's political preferences, sarcastically asking whether he would prefer former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot or Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel's leader.

Highlighting concerns over national security, Shekalim warned against the misuse of parliamentary immunity by Arab lawmakers and referenced recent espionage cases involving Iran. He emphasized his responsibility as an elected official to safeguard the state's security and prevent Barghouti, whom he labeled a terrorist and murderer, from interfering in Israeli elections.

The letter to Ben-Gvir requests a reduction in Barghouti's phone calls and meetings to prevent any external influence on the democratic process. The issue arises amid heightened tensions over Arab political unity and the role of imprisoned Palestinian figures in Israeli politics.