Report: Barghouti still a dangerous ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’

Israeli authorities say Barghouti is working to unite Hamas and the Palestinian Authority and aiming to form a united front against the Jewish state.

By World Israel News Staff

Convicted Palestinian terrorist Marwan Barghouti, who is serving multiple life sentences for orchestrating deadly attacks against Israeli civilians, continues to pose a significant threat to Israel despite being behind bars, according to a new assessment by the Israel Prison Service (IPS).

The report, reviewed by several Hebrew-language media outlets, argues that Barghouti remains one of the most influential Palestinian political figures and continues to wield considerable ideological and organizational influence from prison.

According to the assessment, Barghouti has been successfully rebranded internationally by many pro-Palestinian activists as a political prisoner comparable to former South African President Nelson Mandela.

In reality, the IPS report warns, Barghouti maintains an extreme anti-Israel ideology and continues working from prison to encourage violent attacks against the Jewish state.

Speaking to the Hebrew-language outlet Ynet, a senior IPS official said Barghouti remains one of the most dangerous figures in the Palestinian arena, despite his incarceration.

Barghouti “does not need to hold a weapon to be dangerous,” she said, emphasizing that his influence extends well beyond prison walls.

“He is a kind of Yahya Sinwar,” she added, comparing Barghouti to the late Hamas leader widely understood as the architect of the October 7, 2023, massacre.

The official argued that Barghouti was “even more sophisticated” than Sinwar, citing his political influence and ability to shape public opinion while imprisoned.

Despite his international image as a potential peacemaker, the official described him as “a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Barghouti has long been regarded as one of the most popular Palestinian political figures. Public opinion polls conducted over the years have consistently suggested that he would be a leading contender to head the Palestinian Authority if permitted to run for office, despite his imprisonment.

According to the IPS report, Barghouti has sought to leverage that popularity by promoting greater coordination between rival Palestinian factions. The assessment claims he has been working to bridge the longstanding divide between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas in an effort to create a unified political and operational front against Israel.

The report further states that Barghouti maintains close relationships with influential figures in both organizations, enabling him to retain political relevance despite spending years in prison.

Israeli prison officials also allege that Barghouti’s influence extends beyond the Palestinian territories. According to the assessment, he maintains connections with Arab political parties inside Israel, including parties represented in the Knesset, allowing him to shape political discourse and maintain a network of supporters.