Nael Barghouti: World’s longest-serving political prisoner released

The world’s longest-serving political prisoner, Nael Barghouti, was released from an Israeli jail, as reported by the Middle East Eye on February 27th.

At 67, after spending 45 years in Israeli custody, including 34 consecutive years, his release marked a significant moment in the history of Israeli-Palestinian relations. This event was part of a broader prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas.

Barghouti, widely recognised among Palestinian prisoners by his nickname “Abu al-Nour,” holds the record as the longest-detained political prisoner, a title confirmed by the 2009 Guinness World Records.

He witnessed the 1967 Israeli invasion as a child in his hometown of Kobar, north of Ramallah. In December 1977 he was apprehended for the first time and imprisoned for three months, after targeting Israelis during the mid-1970’s.

During late 2023, the Palestinian Prisoners Society said that Barghouti’s health had declined while he was behind bars. This deterioration took place less than a month after he was moved from Ofer Prison to Gilboa Prison, where he suffered extreme beatings and abuse.

During his time in prison, Barghouti became known amongst other other detainees as an eager reader and history enthusiast. He also learned Hebrew and English while in prison. He reportedly arrived in Egypt after his release.

Middle East Eye