Fatah denies connection to threats against Mustafa Barghouti

Social media accounts shared a screenshot of a WhatsApp message allegedly sent to Mustafa Barghouti, the Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, claiming it was issued by the Fatah movement as a threat against him. The screenshot was accompanied by the following description: “Through a WhatsApp message, Fatah threatens Palestinian leader Mustafa Barghouti with breaking his legs.”

The text of the alleged message read as follows:
*“In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
The Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) – West Bank Regions:

1- You are placed under house arrest by the Fatah Asefah Army. 2- You are prohibited from using mobile or landline phones.3- You are prohibited from using social media platforms.4-You are prohibited from making any statements or appearing in the media, whether live or through calls.5-You are strictly forbidden from leaving your home, and a decision has been issued to break your legs.6-You must comply with the orders of the Fatah Asefah Army.7-You may only leave your home for medical emergencies, and you must inform the High Mobilization and Organization Office in Ramallah to request permission and set a schedule for your departure and return. If you violate these instructions, you will be targeted by members of the Fatah Asefah Army.”*

Kashif verified the message and found it to be fabricated and misleading. Fadi Barghouti, a member of the leadership committee of the Palestinian National Initiative and its representative in the National and Islamic Forces in the West Bank, denied any connection between Fatah and the message. He also confirmed that senior Fatah officials, including Deputy Chairman Mahmoud Al-Aloul and Central Committee members Rawhi Fattouh and Azzam Al-Ahmad, assured Mustafa Barghouti that the message did not originate from Fatah.

Additionally, Kashif contacted Fatah spokesperson Iyad Abu Zneit, who categorically denied the message. He pointed out that it contained grammatical and linguistic errors and was written in a style uncharacteristic of the movement.

Taysir Nasrallah, a member of Fatah’s Revolutionary Council, also denied any connection between Fatah and the alleged threats against Barghouti. He added that the movement does not have an entity named the “Fatah Asefah Army.”

On Sunday, 5/1//2025, the Palestinian National Initiative condemned the “suspicious and dangerous” statement targeting its Secretary-General. In an official statement, the Initiative clarified that the message falsely attributed itself to Fatah and its “Asefah Army,” reaffirming that Fatah had denied any connection to it.