Nael Barghouti calls on the world to act for exiled Palestinian ex-prisoners
Nael Barghouti, the longest-serving Palestinian prisoner, speaks from exile after his release
The Palestine Chronicle reports on 2 February 2026:
Key Takeaways
- Nael Barghouti says forced exile turns prisoner release into another form of punishment rather than genuine freedom.
- Around 180 freed Palestinian prisoners remain stranded in Egypt, living in harsh conditions without clear solutions or timelines.
- Exiled prisoners are denied family reunification, with spouses and children barred from visiting or joining them.
- Some prisoners have reached Türkiye only after prolonged delays, highlighting the restrictive and arbitrary nature of exile arrangements.
- Barghouti urges urgent international and regional action to end policies of exile and guarantee the basic rights of released prisoners.
For Nael Barghouti, the longest-serving Palestinian prisoner and now a former detainee forcibly exiled from his homeland, freedom remains incomplete. Years after his release, Barghouti says the policy of exile imposed on Palestinian prisoners continues to inflict punishment long after prison gates are opened.
Speaking to Quds News Network from exile, Barghouti said the file of expelled prisoners remains unresolved, with around 180 freed Palestinian detainees currently stranded in Egypt, living in harsh humanitarian conditions and facing an uncertain future.
Exile after Release
Barghouti explained that many of the prisoners released under Israeli agreements were denied the right to return to their homes, instead being forcibly expelled outside Palestine. In Egypt, he said, dozens remain trapped in legal and political limbo, unable to reunite with their families or rebuild their lives.