{
  "id": 2307493,
  "title": "Marvel stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Ruffalo and others call for Marwan Barghouti's release",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/marvel-stars-benedict-cumberbatch-mark-ruffalo-and-others-call-for",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-21T05:09:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/film-tv/2026/08/21/marvel-stars-benedict-cumberbatch-mark-ruffalo-and-others-call-for-marwan-barghoutis-release/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Renowned actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Ruffalo and Don Cheadle are among over two dozen Marvel stars advocating for the release of Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti. The group has penned a statement, backed by the Free Marwan campaign, urging the UN and governments worldwide to actively seek Barghouti's release from an Israeli prison. The statement, shared by the campaign, has garnered support from more than 200 prominent figures spanning various fields, including film, music, literature and culture. The statement highlights concerns over Barghouti's mistreatment and denial of legal rights while in prison, calling for the international community to work towards his release. Among the signatories are Cumberbatch, Ruffalo and Cheadle, who portray characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, alongside a diverse array of notable figures. Marwan Barghouti, 67, has been incarcerated by Israel for over two decades and stands as a prominent figure in Palestinian politics. A senior Fatah member, Barghouti was arrested in 2002 during the Second Intifada and received a life sentence plus 40 years in 2004 for attacks that resulted in five deaths. Despite his lengthy imprisonment, he remains a popular political figure among Palestinians and has consistently performed well in opinion polls as a potential future president.",
  "summary": "Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Ruffalo and Don Cheadle are among a group of Marvel stars calling for the release of imprisoned Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti . More than 20 actors have added their names to a statement calling on the UN and governments around the world to push for Barghouti's release from an Israeli prison. The statement was shared by the Free Marwan campaign , launched by…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "The involvement of high-profile Marvel stars in the Free Marwan campaign puts pressure on governments and the UN to revisit Barghouti's case and his treatment in Israeli prison.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Marvel stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Ruffalo and others call for Marwan Barghouti's release",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/marvel-stars-benedict-cumberbatch-mark-ruffalo-and-others-call-for-2309602",
        "published": "2026-08-21T05:09:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}