Security Chaos and Proliferation of Weapons

Attacks on Officials and Public Institutions

Field Update

4 September 2008

Car of PLC Member Fired upon by Unknown Persons in Nablus

On Wednesday evening, 3 September 2008, unidentified gunmen fired at the car of a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in Nablus. The car was heavily damaged. This attack is part of the security chaos prevailing in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 19:40 on Wednesday, 3 September, unidentified gunmen fired at the car of Sheikh Hamed Suleiman Khudair (al-Beitawi), a PLC Member from the Change and Reform Bloc of Hamas, whilst his car was parked in front of the Roujib Mosque, southeast of Nablus. Al-Beitawi and his son were praying in the mosque when the car was attacked. The car was hit by thirteen gunshots, but no casualties were reported.

PCHR is gravely concerned about this latest attack, which is part of the continuing security chaos prevailing in the OPT. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian National Authority, represented by the Attorney-General, to immediately investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.