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Posted on 09/27/2026 8:42:29 AM PDT by DFG
US Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna called on Israel to release imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, arguing that Palestinians should be allowed to choose their own leadership and that Barghouti could play a role in a future Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
"Today I'm calling for the release of Marwan Barghouti from Israeli prison. Palestinians must choose their own leaders," Khanna said. He described Barghouti as having "a unique standing among all Palestinian factions" and said he is viewed as "non-corrupt, a strong leader, and secular."
Khanna went further, arguing that "Barghouti could deliver a Palestinian state living in peace with Israel," and noted that some former senior Israeli security officials have also supported his release.
The remarks come as Khanna, a progressive Democrat representing California's 17th Congressional District in Silicon Valley, seeks to elevate his foreign-policy profile while openly weighing a possible 2028 presidential run.
During a visit to the West Bank in July, Khanna told Reuters that he was "strongly considering" a presidential bid. He also sharply criticized Israeli policy toward Palestinians during the trip, including using the term "apartheid" to describe conditions in the West Bank — a characterization Israel rejects.
US rep. says Fatah member Barghouti can help with Israel-Palestinian conflict
Khanna stressed that he was not seeking to erase Barghouti's past or absolve him of responsibility.
"Releasing Barghouti does not provide him with a pardon or moral absolution of crimes he may have committed," he said, while adding that some human-rights organizations have challenged the fairness of Barghouti's trial.
He argued, however, that Barghouti's release could be necessary to advance diplomacy, drawing comparisons to past peace processes involving former adversaries.
Khanna cited Yasser Arafat and Yitzhak Rabin, and also invoked Northern Ireland, saying that although the IRA "did terrible things," allowing former combatants to participate in politics became part of the peace process once they embraced political coexistence. He said Barghouti had repeatedly expressed a similar vision.
"If we're lucky enough to have a just peace in Israel-Palestine, we will need a truth and reconciliation commission," Khanna said. "But for now, we must begin to give Palestinians a voice in their sovereignty and the peace process. Release Barghouti."
Barghouti, a senior Fatah figure, has been imprisoned in Israel since the Second Intifada. An Israeli court sentenced him in 2004 to five life terms over his role in attacks that killed Israelis. Barghouti rejected the authority of the Israeli court and has long denied responsibility for attacks on civilians.
Despite nearly a quarter-century behind bars, he remains one of the most prominent figures in Palestinian politics and is frequently discussed as a possible successor to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. President Donald Trump himself said last year that he was considering whether to urge Israel to release Barghouti as Washington examined possible postwar Palestinian leadership arrangements.
Recent Palestinian polling underscores Barghouti's political weight. An August survey by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research found that, in a hypothetical presidential race among likely voters, Barghouti would receive 54% support, compared with 26% for Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya and 14% for Abbas. Palestinian presidential elections are currently expected in early 2027.
Khanna issued the call during the week of the UN General Assembly in New York, as the Palestinian issue again features prominently in international diplomacy and debate intensifies over the shape of future Palestinian political leadership.
Khanna has increasingly positioned himself among Democrats calling for a reassessment of longstanding US policy toward Israel and the Palestinians. His latest statement places him among the most prominent American lawmakers to explicitly call for Barghouti's release.
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The Germans chose Hitler.
So that’s a no go.
L
Ro Khanna
A name from Mos Eisley if ever there was one.
Anyone remember Steve Biko?
Ro Khanna used to be my Congressman when I lived in Silicon Valley. Back then he positioned himself as one of the few sane, pro-business Democrats. But he’s obviously aiming for bigger things so he’s moving further and further left - that’s what Democrats who want to get ahead do in 2026.
So that’s a no go.
It might work to Israel's advantage if the "Palestinians" select a terrorist to lead them in a legitimate election. They will then deserve the whoopin' they'll get (I know, they already did, but apparently the American public needs the reminder).
Ro Khanna translated into English means Dumb Shit
“Anyone remember Steve Biko?”
Yep.
L
I had a long debate with AI two state solution, origin of Palestine, the time(s) or any time the ppl of Gaza lived in peace, the Hamas charter, on and on.
Turns out I hit my limit on questions.
AI was trying hard to say Palestine is a friendly neighbor.
Anyway, no two state solution for peace existed especially the Trans-Jordan partition
Palestinians already chose a leader, they’re called Hamas...
He is a terrorist, murderer and general gangster . Nothing good will come from his release from prison, much less making him the leader of a Palestinian state
He is every bit as bad as the Hamas, Hezbollah and IRGC leadership we have watched make a travesty of basic civilized behavior and norms . Negotiations with a Marwan Barghouti government will look exactly like negotiations with Hamas and the Iranian IRGC terrorists
Ro Khanna is one of the sanest Democrats in national politics which is an indication of just how insane and radical the Democrats and their base have become
The dominance of the insanity wing of the Democrat party ensures that no Democrat can be elected and trusted to govern in anything other than an insane fashion
A perfect example of this is Sen John Fetterman who, despite being a hard core liberal, has the audacity to stand against the lunatic mainstream of the Democrat party and actually resist lockstep adoption of the Democrats insanity
He is demonized, threatened and is about to be kicked out of the Democrat party
It's impossible to be sane and be a member of the Democrat party
And Hitler was all chummy with the mooselimbs so.......
Deport Khanna.
They did. Hamas. They choose terror every time.
Ro is the ant floating downriver on his back demanding the drawbridge be raised.
The Brits created a two state solution - Jordan and Israel. But the Arabs will never agree to Jews living free!
Not true!
It means “underminer and traitor”!
Scammer from scam land scammed his way into politics. He has no real opinions , just new scams.
Barghouti is responsible for murdering at least 25 innocent Iraelis. Let Ro Khanna eat the dung dust of a thousand bats.
Shouldn’t Row Corner be spending his time having conjugal visits with young illegal alien gangsters in detention centers?
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