Mark Ruffalo and Benedict Cumberbatch Urge Release of Palestinian Figure Marwan Barghouti

A number of Marvel actors, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Ruffalo and Don Cheadle, have joined calls for the release of Marwan Barghouti. Barghouti is known as a Palestinian figure who has been imprisoned by Israel for more than two decades.

At least 20 actors have now joined a joint statement urging the United Nations and governments in various countries to actively push for Barghouti’s release. The support is part of the international ‘Free Marwan’ campaign, which has gained backing from more than 200 prominent figures from the worlds of film, music, literature and culture.

‘We express deep concern over the continued detention of Marwan Barghouti, the harsh treatment he has experienced, and the denial of his legal rights during his detention,’ the statement read.

‘We call upon the United Nations and governments around the world to actively seek the release of Marwan Barghouti from Israeli prison,’ it continued.

Among the public figures supporting the statement are Cumberbatch, who plays Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe; Ruffalo, widely known in the franchise as Bruce Banner/Hulk; and Cheadle, who plays James Rhodes or War Machine. Support also came from a number of other actors with ties to Marvel, including Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Daniel Brühl, Rebecca Hall, Zawe Ashton, Tatiana Maslany, May Calamawy, Emma Corrin and Kingsley Ben-Adir. Other names backing the call include Ian McKellen, Brian Cox, Riz Ahmed, Elliot Page, Hugo Weaving, Dan Stevens, Rob Delaney and Jason Flemyng.

Barghouti, 67, has been imprisoned by Israel for more than two decades and remains one of the most prominent figures in Palestinian politics. As a senior Fatah member, he was arrested by Israeli forces in 2002.

In 2004, an Israeli court sentenced Marwan Barghouti to five life terms plus 40 years in prison after he was found guilty of attacks that killed five people.