Abbas critic Nizar Banat dies in raid on his home by Palestinian Authority security agents

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Banat, 44, a longtime critic of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, died in a raid by PA security agents at his home in the town of Dura. Banat’s relatives said about 25 security officers beat him severely with batons and other objects while he was still asleep.

Some Palestinians have compared his death to the gruesome murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018 by Saudi government agents.

Banat’s death sparked a wave of protests from many Palestinians, who accused the PA of “murdering” the activist. In graphic photos that surfaced on social media, Banat appeared to have numerous bruises on his body.

During a demonstration organized by youth groups in Ramallah, protesters shouted slogans calling for Abbas’ impeachment. PA police used tear gas and batons to disperse the protesters and prevent them from approaching his headquarters.

Similar protests have taken place in other towns in the West Bank, as well as in the Gaza Strip.

PA security forces have arrested dozens of Palestinian political activists and social media users since Abbas’ decision in late April to cancel legislative and presidential elections, scheduled to take place on May 22 and May 31, respectively. July.

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Many detainees were accused of being affiliated with Hamas and ousted Fatah member Mohammed Dahlan, a big rival to Abbas who is based in the United Arab Emirates. Others have been accused of “insulting” Abbas and other Palestinian figures on social media platforms.

Hebron PA governor Jibreen al-Bakri said in a statement that Banat’s health “deteriorated” during the raid on his home. Banat was rushed to Hebron hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Bakri said the officers arrived at Banat’s home to arrest him under a warrant issued by the Palestinian Authority’s attorney general.

The governor gave no reason for the arrest.

“The Palestinian security forces did not come to arrest him,” said Hussein Banat, a cousin of the deceased activist. “They came to assassinate him. He added that the raid took place around 3:30 a.m.

Another relative, Majdi Banat, said the beatings lasted eight minutes. “They blew up the door of the house with explosives,” he said. “It was a very brutal and violent raid.”

He added that Banat had received numerous threats from senior Palestinian officials due to his anti-corruption campaign.

“They told him you were wanted dead or alive,” the relative said. “Last May, they tried to kill him by shooting at his home. “

In recent months, Banat has posted several videos on Facebook in which he launched scathing attacks against Abbas and the Palestinian Authority leadership and accused them of being responsible for widespread corruption.

In a recent video, Banat denounced the Shtayyeh government for its handling of last week’s Pfizer vaccine swap deal with Israel. Under the agreement, Israel offered the Palestinians more than a million expiring vaccines allowing them to vaccinate earlier. In return, Israel would receive an identical number of doses bought by the Palestinians and expected to arrive later this year.

The Banat planned to participate in the legislative elections as a candidate on a new list called Liberty and Dignity.

After the cancellation of the elections by Abbas, Banat and his list called on the European Union to suspend financial aid to the Palestinian Authority and to launch an investigation into the “waste of European taxpayers’ money”.

The unprecedented appeal to the EU drew strong condemnation from senior PA and Fatah officials. They accused the Banat of “crossing a red line” by calling on foreign parties to suspend financial aid to the Palestinian Authority.

Shortly after the call, unidentified gunmen attacked his house. No one was hurt. Banat suggested that “thugs” from Abbas’s ruling faction, Fatah, were behind the shooting. He claimed that the attackers were escorted by Palestinian Authority security agents.

Banat’s wife, Um Kifah, said hours after hearing of her husband’s death: “Nizar is a ‘shahid’ (martyr); he was telling the truth. My husband was not a thief and he was not corrupt. He has always said that his campaign against corruption is about ensuring a better future for our children. They killed a Nizar, but now they will have 1,000 Nizars. “

Mohammed Amru, a political activist and friend of the Banat, said the incident was a “great crime” and a “turning point” in relations between the PA and the Palestinians.

“The Palestinian Authority has gone from arbitrary arrests to physical liquidation,” Amru said. “We hold President Abbas personally responsible. “

Several Palestinian human rights groups and political factions condemned the incident and demanded an immediate investigation.

The Palestinian Independent Human Rights Commission (ICHR) said it watched “with great concern the death of activist Nizar Banat”.

The group said that according to eyewitness accounts and members of his family, Banat was beaten and sprayed with gas during his arrest.

“The ICHR has started to investigate and collect information on the death incident,” the group said. “In addition, the CIDH will participate in the autopsy through a forensic doctor delegated by the Commission. The results of the investigation will be announced immediately.

Palestinian human rights activist Khaled al-Shouli denounced Banat’s death as a “crime against humanity” and called for the case to be referred to the International Criminal Court.

Hussein Khreisheh, former vice-president of the Palestinian Legislative Council, said that “the execution of Nizar Banat reflects the state of panic and confusion within the Palestinian Authority”.

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