Statue of Convicted Terrorist Marwan Barghouti Erected on London Rooftop
A bronze statue of convicted terrorist Marwan Barghouti was installed on a London rooftop, sparking strong condemnation across the United Kingdom.
A large bronze statue of convicted Palestinian terrorist Marwan Barghouti has been erected on the roof of "Palestine House" in the Holborn district of central London. The installation has sparked sharp criticism across the United Kingdom, particularly regarding the decision to commemorate a figure serving multiple life sentences for his involvement in the murder of civilians.
The statue depicts Barghouti with his hands raised and cuffed above his head, making a V-for-victory sign. The artwork replicates the gesture Barghouti made immediately following his arrest in September 2003 as security forces escorted him to a detention facility. The sculpture was placed on a rooftop base of the building, which serves as a cultural center for the Palestinian community in the British capital.
Origins and Relocation
The statue was originally brought to Parliament Square in London last June by pro-Palestinian activists demanding Barghouti's release. Police prevented its permanent installation at that prominent site, forcing activists to remove it. It has now found a home at "Palestine House," an institution established by Palestinian filmmaker and activist Osama Kasho. The venue styles itself as a cultural embassy for Palestinians, hosting film screenings, book launches, poetry readings, and exhibitions.
Barghouti, 66, was convicted by an Israeli court in 2004 and sentenced to five consecutive life terms plus an additional 40 years in prison for his role in terrorist attacks in 2001 and 2002 that claimed the lives of five civilians. While supporters campaign for his release and portray him as a symbol of the Palestinian struggle, critics argue that the statue amounts to an unacceptable glorification of a convicted killer.
Strong Condemnation
Alex Hearn of the organization Labour Against Antisemitism voiced severe criticism of the display in the Jewish Chronicle.
Barghouti was convicted of involvement in the murder of at least five civilians, and these are not actions that deserve to be commemorated with a public statue.
Hearn added that Barghouti is not a political prisoner and that choosing him as a symbol reflects poorly on the movement displaying him.
