Ro Khanna demands Israel release convicted Palestinian terrorist murderer Marwan Barghouti

In a video statement posted to X on Friday, Khanna said Palestinians must “choose their own leaders” and argued Barghouti could play a role in establishing a Palestinian state that lives peacefully alongside Israel. Barghouti is seen as a potential successor to Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas despite being in prison.

“Barghouti has a unique standing among all Palestinian factions. He’s seen as non-corrupt, a strong leader and secular. Barghouti could deliver a Palestinian state living in peace with Israel,” Khanna said.

“Several prominent Israelis, including former directors of Shin Bet and Mossad, have called for his release, as has the leader of the IDF team that apprehended him,” he continued. “Releasing Barghouti does not provide him with a pardon or moral absolution of crimes he may have committed. In fact, a number of human rights groups say he did not even receive a fair trial, but the release is needed to move peace forward — just like Arafat and Rabin worked for peace, despite their pasts.”

Barghouti, a senior Fatah figure, was convicted in 2004 by an Israeli court of five counts of murder stemming from multiple attacks during the Second Intifada. Barghouti denied the charges and rejected the Israeli court’s jurisdiction, according to The Times of Israel.

Despite Barghouti’s history of terrorism, Khanna argued that his release could advance peace between Israel and Palestine. He compared it to the Irish Troubles, where the Irish Republican Army carried out “terrible things” but were later permitted to participate in the political process.

“If we’re lucky enough to have a just peace in Israel-Palestine, we will need a truth and reconciliation commission. But for now, we must begin to give Palestinians a voice in their sovereignty and the peace process. Release Barghouti,” Khanna declared.

Khanna’s comments come after he visited the West Bank in July, where he publicly considered a presidential bid. Khanna has been critical of Israel’s policies toward Palestine, at one time describing the West Bank as an “apartheid.”