Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms

Attacking Public Institutions and Officials

Field Update

9 May 2006

Preventive Security Members Assault a Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and Haniya’s Political Advisor

Members of the Preventive Security Apparatus prevented a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) and the political advisor of Prime Minister Ismail Haniya from passing through a street located near the Preventive Security headquarters in Gaza City.  They fired at the PLC member’s vehicle, and detained him and Haniya’s advisor in the headquarters for some time.

PCHR’s initial investigation indicates that at approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, 9 May 2006, members of the Preventive Security fired at the car of the Hamas PLC member Sayyed Abu Musameh, as he and Dr. Ahmad Yousef, political advisor to the Prime Minister, attempted to pass through the street adjacent to the Preventive Security headquarters in Gaza City.  Members of the Preventive Security approached the two vehicles, and took Abu Musameh and Yousef inside the headquarters.  They were held there for a while before being released.

It is noted that members of the Preventive Security keep the section of road adjacent to their headquarters closed and prevent cars from passing through.  Three weeks ago, Preventive Security members prevented Prime Minister Ismail Haniya from passing through the roadblock on the street, forcing his party to take a dirt side road.

PCHR strongly condemns the assault on PLC member Abu Musameh and Advisor Yousef.  The Centre calls upon the Palestinian National Authority, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate these attacks and to bring the perpetrators to justice