Actors Back Campaign to Free Marwan Barghouti

By Staff, Agencies

More than 20 actors, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Ruffalo, Don Cheadle, Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton, have backed a campaign calling for the release of imprisoned Palestinian political figure Marwan Barghouti.

The actors signed a statement urging the United Nations and governments worldwide to press for Barghouti's release from an "Israeli" prison.

The statement was shared by the Free Marwan campaign, launched by Barghouti's family and supporters. The broader campaign has received support from more than 200 figures from film, music, literature and culture.

The signatories expressed concern over Barghouti's continued imprisonment, alleged mistreatment and denial of legal rights, calling on governments and the UN to actively seek his release.a

Among the latest signatories are Cumberbatch, Ruffalo and Cheadle, alongside Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Daniel Brühl, Rebecca Hall, Zawe Ashton, Tatiana Maslany, May Calamawy, Emma Corrin and Kingsley Ben-Adir.

Other prominent actors supporting the campaign include Ian McKellen, Brian Cox, Riz Ahmed, Elliot Page, Hugo Weaving, Dan Stevens, Rob Delaney and Jason Flemyng.