Security Chaos and Proliferation of Weapons
Attacks on Officials and Public Institutions
Field Update
17 July 2007
Undersecretary of Ministry of Local Government Attacked in Ramallah, and Deputy Mayor of al-Qarara Threatened by Unknown Militants
On Monday, 16 July 2007, unknown militants abducted Eng. Fat’hallah al-Sa’idi, Undersecretary of the Palestinian Ministry of Local Government, and seized his own car and property. In another attack, Deputy Mayor of al-Qarara village was threatened by unknown militants on Saturday, 14 July 2007, to force him to resign.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR:
At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 16 July 2007, unknown militants abducted Eng. Fat’hallah al-Sa’idi, 53, from Tulkarm, Assistant Undersecretary of the Palestinian Ministry of Local Government, in Bir Zeit village, when he was on his way to Tulkarm. The militants violently beat al-Sa’idi and seized his car, mobile phone, personal documents and money. Before releasing him, the militants opened fire to terrify him. He was wounded by shrapnel to the hands.
In his testimony to PCHR, al-Sa’idi stated:
“At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 16 July 2007, I was traveling in my car together with 4 friends near Bir Zeit University on my way from my work in Ramallah back to Tulkarm. Another car intercepted my way near the entrance of the university, and 5 militants got out of it. They forced my friends out of the car and forced me to sit on the back seat. Two militants got into my car and one of them drove it back to Ramallah. During our traveling to Ramallah, they beat me. When we arrived at ‘Ein Misbah area in Ramallah, they forced me to get out of my car and get into their car. There, they violently beat me. The militants seized my identity card, driving license, memo book, personal documents, money and keys of my office. They fired at me after forcing me out of the car. I was wounded by shrapnel to my fingers.”
At approximately 12:30 on Saturday, 14 July 2007, unknown militants traveling in a civilian car intercepted Fat’hi Yahia Fayad, 57, Deputy Mayor of al-Qarara village in the Gaza Strip, when he was on his way from the municipality back home. Two militants got out of the car and threatened Fayad to resign in 4 days, or they would fire at his legs. It is worth noting that Fayad won the municipal elections that were held in al-Qarra village in December 2005.
PCHR is gravely concerned over such attacks, which are part of the state of security chaos prevailing in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian National Authority, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate these incidents and bring those who are found responsible to justice.
