The following is an open letter initiated by Sari Nusseibeh, philosopher, former president of the Al-Quds University in Jerusalem, Palestine & Anna C. Zielinska, moral and legal philosopher, University of Lorraine, Nancy, France. It was published in Le Monde on Aug. 2. Here, the English version of the letter and the list of signatories—you can still add your name.
“In July 2025, we are all shattered by the pictures and information from Gaza, and we have the impression that there is little that academia is able to do. Numerous calls for peace seem powerless. Yet we still can take at least a bit responsibility for what will happen after the ceasefire which is hopefully coming soon … The current negotiations over Gaza could bring hope to the people still trying to survive there. The negotiations involve several critical issues including the so-called ‘key formula’ involving exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Looking ahead to the so-called ‘day-after’, significant marker of what that future will be like is whether Marwan Barghouti will be on the list of Palestinian prisoners to be released. But why is his release significant, and more significant than all the grand plans and budgets now being considered for a future Gaza at peace? He is central to how future Palestinian politics will develop. With Marwan, chances are good that Fatah will regain its strength and hold onto its commitment to a two-state solution with Israel. Without Marwan, Fatah will likely continue to dissipate, as will the population’s support for peace with Israel. If this happens, ‘the day-after’ will simply prolong ongoing and worsening conflict.
“The Israeli government may prefer a state of ongoing conflict—using it to annex and control Palestinian territory at will— rather than a state of peace that would require making a historic compromise with the Palestinian people. Aware of Marwan’s potential role in future Palestinian politics, it may keep him imprisoned. This is why it is critical for all peace-loving parties and institutions who support a two-state solution to raise their voices now to advocate for Marwan’s release.
“As an elected member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and of Fatah, Marwan continues to play a leadership role even from prison. His enduring popularity among Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank ensures him a prominent position in any future Palestinian election—whether within Fatah or for the presidency. With him at the helm, a political commitment to peace with Israel, backed by strong Fatah and popular support, is likely.
“At this critical juncture—when there is an urgent need to exert maximum pressure on the Government of Israel to end its indiscriminate and genocidal onslaught against the Palestinian people—it is equally necessary to demand a single, symbolic act: the release of one political Palestinian prisoner whose freedom, among thousands of others, could unlock the possibility of a different future. A future in which both Israelis and Palestinians have a real chance to live in peace side by side. Peace-loving people around the world—including and especially within Israel cannot afford to miss this opportunity. Join us—academics working in philosophy, political sciences, law, Middle-Eastern and Israeli studies & adjacent disciplines—in raising our voice for Marwan’s release.”
