Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) publicly called this week for Israel to release Marwan Barghouti, a Palestinian figure serving five life sentences for orchestrating terrorist attacks that killed Israeli civilians during the second intifada. Khanna posted a video to X making the appeal, arguing that Barghouti could be a key figure in achieving a lasting peace deal.
Barghouti was a top lieutenant of Yasir Arafat and was convicted by an Israeli civilian court in May 2004 on five counts of murder. Among the attacks he helped plan was a suicide bombing on King George V Street in Jerusalem in March 2002 that killed three civilians and wounded 87 others. His victims included a Greek Orthodox monk, a mother of two killed at a gas station, and three people killed at a Tel Aviv restaurant.
Critics are on social media asking why Democrats keep protecting criminals.
Khanna’s Case for Barghouti’s Release
In his video, Khanna framed the release as a political necessity rather than a moral endorsement. “Barghouti has a unique standing among all Palestinian factions,” he said. “He’s seen as non-corrupt, a strong leader, and secular. Barghouti could deliver a Palestinian state living in peace with Israel.”
Khanna acknowledged the weight of the crimes tied to Barghouti’s name but argued the situation demanded pragmatism. Releasing Barghouti does not provide him with a pardon or moral absolution of crimes he may have committed,” he said. In fact, a number of human rights groups say he did not even receive a fair trial. But the release is needed to move peace forward.” He also said, “Palestinians must choose their own leaders.”
Sharp Backlash From Critics and Public Figures
The call drew immediate and widespread criticism. Ambassador Mike Huckabee wrote on X, “Why on earth would @RoKhanna call for the release of Marwan Barghouti, a Palestinian terrorist who orchestrated cold-blooded slaughter of innocent civilians? Ro, you are better than this.” Brigitte Gabriel of ACT for America described Barghouti as Ro Khanna’s call for Barghouti’s release “a convicted killer” and not a political prisoner, listing the victims by name.
Commentator Emily Schrader wrote that “Marwan Barghouti is a convicted murderer with the blood of 5 civilians on his hands including a Christian priest and an Israeli Druze,” adding that Khanna was “quite literally supporting terrorism.” Author Sam Antar challenged Khanna directly, asking whether he had spared “a sentence for the people he was convicted of killing.”
What Comes Next for Khanna’s Push
Khanna has not walked back his remarks following the criticism, and there is no indication Israel intends to respond to his appeal. Israel has consistently rejected outside pressure to release prisoners convicted of deadly attacks against its citizens.
The episode is likely to intensify scrutiny of Khanna as he positions himself within his party’s progressive wing. His comments place him in direct conflict not only with Israel’s government but also with a broad range of voices who argue that advocating for Barghouti’s release ignores the documented record of violence tied to his convictions.
