Jamal Abu Samhadana
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Jamal Abu Samhadana (February 8, 1963 – June 8, 2006), from Rafah in the Gaza Strip, was the founder of the Popular Resistance Committees (which have been held responsible for firing missiles into Israel),[1] a former Fatah and Tanzim member, and number two on Israel's list of wanted terrorists. On 20 April, 2006 he was appointed by Said Seyam, Interior Minister of the Palestinian National Authority's new Hamas-led government, as director general of the police forces in the Interior Ministry.[2][3]
Abu Samhadana has been quoted as saying that 'Jews are the "only enemy" and that he will "carry a rifle" and "pull the trigger" to defend the Palestinian people'.[4]
The appointment has "sparked new criticism from the U.S. and Israel and intensified the struggle for control of some 70,000 Palestinian security forces." between Hamas and President Mahmoud Abbas.[5] Abbas subsequently issued a decree preventing the formation of the force that Abu Samhadana was to have headed.[6] However Hamas defied the President's veto and proceeded with the nomination.
Abu Samhadana survived an Israeli missile strike in the occupied Gaza Strip in December, 2004.[7]
On June 8, 2006, Samhadana was killed by an Israeli airstrike along with at least three other PRC members.[8][9]
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Hamas defies 'security force' ban, BBC News Online, 21 April, 2006.
- ^ Rocket chief gets top post, Ynet News, 20 April, 2006.
- ^ Amos Harel and Arnon Regular, Wanted militant tapped for post in PA Interior Min., April 23, 2006.
- ^ Jane Flanagan Security head calls Jews 'enemy', Sunday Telegraph, 23 April, 2006.
- ^ Eric Westervelt, Hamas' New Security Force Rankles Israel, PLO, National Public Radio, 21 April, 2006.
- ^ Conal Urquhart, Palestinian president vetoes Hamas police, The Guardian, 22 April, 2006.
- ^ Palestinians survive Israeli bid on life, Aljazeera, 10 December, 2004.
- ^ [1], Ha'aretz, 8 June, 2006.
- ^ [2], Yediot Acharonot, 8 June
[edit] External links
- On Patrol with the Killer Israel Dreads Hala Jaber, Sunday Times, 29 December, 2002.
