AJCommittee Condemns Murder Of Two Palestinians For Selling Land To Jews; Appalled By Palestinian Officials' Complicity And Silence Of World Leaders

American Jewish Committee
Monday, 19 May 1997

The American Jewish Committee condemns the murder of two Palestinians, apparently for their "crime" of selling land to Jews. Their bodies were found in Ramallah, which is under the control of the Palestinian Authority.

While it is not clear whether officials or the police of the Palestinian Authority had a direct role in the abduction and killing of these two men (Farid Bashiti on May 9 and Harbi Abu Sara on May 17), it is clear that no senior figure in the Palestinian Authority has condemned the murders or distanced himself from these outrageous actions. In fact, the statements by Palestinians leaders creates a complicity both before and after the crimes.

Just days before the first murder, the Palestinian Minister of Justice, Freih Abu Middein, called for the death penalty for any person who sells Palestinian land to Israelis. Justice Minister Abu Middein appeared to be calling for judicial - as well as extra-judicial action - to prevent any legal transfer of land ownership. That the highest legal officer of the Palestinian Authority might condone murder is an outrage in itself. And, immediately after the killing of Mr. Bashiti on May 9, the Mufti of Jerusalem who is an appointee of Chairman Arafat, applauded the death of Bashiti and declared him an infidel who could not be buried in a Muslim cemetery because he sold land to Jews.

The second killing in nine days of a Palestinian accused of selling land to Jews should have provoked universal condemnation from world and Palestinian leaders. The American Jewish Committee is appalled by the widespread conspiracy of silence led by Yasir Arafat and members of his government and joined by world leaders, including those who so often rush to the United Nations to condemn Israel for much less.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org