Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms

Attacking Public Institutions and Officials

Field Update

23 March 2006

Shots Fired at the Vehicles of the Acting Mayor of Qalqilya and the Mayor of Birzeit

In the ongoing security chaos in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), gunmen fired shots at the cars of the acting mayor of Qalqilya and the mayor of Birzeit, causing extensive damage to both vehicles.

PCHR’s initial investigation indicates that at approximately 5:00 on Tuesday, 21 March 2006, unknown gunmen travelling in a white car fired shots at the house of Dr. Mohammad Hashem Amin El-Masri, the acting mayor of Qalqilya, in Hussein Hilal Street in the center of the town.  Dr. El-Masri was inside the house at the time of the attack.  When he came out to investigate, El-Masri found that 5 bullets had hit his car, causing extensive damage.

And at approximately 23:30 on Monday, 20 March 2006, unidentified gunmen fired at the house of Dr. Yousef Ibrahim Yousef Naser, the mayor of Birzeit, in the Old University Street in the centre of the town.  When he went outside to investigate the incident, Dr. Naser found that a number of bullets had hit his Mercedes car, which was parked in front of the house.  The attack caused extensive damage to the car.

PCHR is concerned about the continuation of these dangerous attacks, which serve to perpetuate the state of security chaos in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  The Centre reiterates its call upon the PNA, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate these attacks, and to bring the perpetrators to justice.