Jerusalem, September 22, 1997
Israel Submits Formal Requests to the Palestinians to Hand Over PA Police
Commander Ghazi Jabali and 4 Other Terror Suspects
PA Refuses to Hand Over 4 Terrorists Involved in Murder of 4 Americans
(Communicated by the Israel Government Press Office)
The Agreement
The Interim Agreement (Oslo 2) states that Israel may request from the
Palestinian Authority (PA) the transfer ("extradition") of an individual
located in the autonomous areas who is suspected of an offense that falls
under Israeli criminal jurisdiction (Annex IV, Article 2, par. 7b). The PA
is obligated to comply with all formal requests and to arrest and transfer
the suspect to Israel (Annex IV, Article 2, par. 7f (1)).
In the Note for the Record attached to the January 15, 1997 Hebron
Protocol, the Palestinians reaffirmed their commitment that "Requests for
transfer of suspects and defendants will be acted upon in accordance with
Article II (7)(f) of Annex IV to the Interim Agreement."
The Violations
On September 17, 1997, Israel submitted five new requests to the PA for
the transfer of terror suspects. Previously, on March 31, 1997, Israel
submitted 31 formal requests for the transfer of terror suspects. Thus
far, the PA has not responded to any of Israel's 36 requests (except for
two cases in December 1994, when the PA rejected Israel's requests).
Of the 36 terror suspects whose transfer is being sought by Israel, 12 are
either serving in the Palestinian police or are in the process of joining
its ranks.
Among the suspects the PA is refusing to hand over are four who were
involved in attacks in which 4 American citizens were killed. The four
terror suspects are: Nafez Mahmoud Sabih, Muhi a-Din a-Sharif, Abd
al-Majid Dudin and Imjad Muhammad Hinawi (details concerning them appear
on the list below - see suspects # 2, 14, 31, and 32).
The PA's failure to transfer terror suspects to Israel is a flagrant
violation of the Oslo Accords. By refusing to turn them over to Israel,
the PA has allowed terrorists to go unpunished, thereby encouraging others
to carry out attacks in the knowledge that they will not have to answer
for their actions.
5 New Formal Requests Submitted to the PA
1. Col. Ghazi Jabali - Commander of the Palestinian Police Force.
Suspected of organizing terrorist cells within the Palestinian police and
issuing instructions to Palestinian policemen to carry out terror attacks
against Israelis.
2. Imjad Muhammad Hinawi - member of Hamas who took part in the murder of
16-year old David Boim, an American-Israeli citizen, in Beit El in May
1996. The PA detained Hinawi but subsequently released him in February
1997 on holiday leave for the Id al-Fitr festival.
3. Abdel-Rahman Ghneimat - member of the Tzurif terror cell who was
involved in numerous terror attacks against Israelis. He took part in the
kidnapping and murder of Israeli soldier Sharon Edri and planned the March
21, 1997 bombing at a Tel Aviv cafe which killed Yael Gilad, Anat
Rozen-Winter and Michal Avrahami. He was also involved in the murder of
Yaron and Efrat Ungar on June 9, 1996 and the murder of Uri, Rachel and
Zeev Munk on July 26, 1996.
4. Jamal al-Hor - member of the Tzurif terror cell who was involved in
numerous terror attacks against Israelis. He took part in the kidnapping
and murder of Israeli soldier Sharon Edri and planned the March 21, 1997
bombing at a Tel Aviv caf=E9 which killed Yael Gilad, Anat Rozen-Winter and
Michal Avrahami. He was also involved in the murder of Yaron and Efrat
Ungar on June 9, 1996 and the murder of Uri, Rachel and Zeev Munk on July
26, 1996.
5. Ibrahim Ghneimat - member of the Tzurif terror cell who was involved in
numerous terror attacks against Israelis. He took part in the kidnapping
and murder of Israeli soldier Sharon Edri and planned the March 21, 1997
bombing at a Tel Aviv cafe which killed Yael Gilad, Anat Rozen-Winter and
Michal Avrahami. He was also involved in the murder of Yaron and Efrat
Ungar on June 9, 1996 and the murder of Uri, Rachel and Zeev Munk on July
26, 1996.
31 Formal Requests Previously Submitted to the PA
6. Ibrahim Salah Mustafa Alkam - suspect in the murder of Etta Tzur and
her 12-year old son Ephraim on December 11, 1996, who were shot to death
by terrorists near Beit El while driving in their car.
7. Abdel Nasser Ismail Hassin Alkaisi - suspect in the murder of Etta Tzur
and her 12-year old son Ephraim on December 11, 1996, who were shot to
death by terrorists near Beit El while driving in their car.
8. Ibrahim Massad Elias Hani - suspect in the murder of Etta Tzur and her
12-year old son Ephraim on December 11, 1996, who were shot to death by
terrorists near Beit El while driving in their car.
9. Bassam Khalil Abdel Rahman Aram - resident of Khan Yunis; suspect in
the attempted murder of Zvi Fixler at Moshav Gan-Or on December 10, 1993.
He was arrested and then set free by the Palestinian police and is now
active in the Palestinian security forces.
10. Yasser Muhammad Musa Aram - resident of Khan Yunis; active in Islamic
Jihad; suspected of involvement in the attempted murder of Zvi Fixler at
Moshav Gan-Or on December 10, 1993. He was arrested and then set free by
the Palestinian police. There are indications that he may have joined the
Palestinian security forces.
11. Abdallah Mahmoud Samiri - suspect in the murder of 75-year old Naftali
Sahar near Rehovot on February 10, 1994. Sahar, a farmer, was found dead
in his orange grove after having been beaten with an iron bar. Islamic
Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack.
12. Bassam Subhi Issa - suspected of involvement in the terror attack on
Yoel Solomon street in Jerusalem on October 9, 1994. Two people were
killed and eight injured in the attack when terrorists opened fire on the
crowded street lined with open-air cafes. He also took part in the murder
of three IDF soldiers in April 1993. He was arrested and later released by
the Palestinian police, and was then drafted to serve in Jibril Rajoub's
Palestinian Preventive Security Service.
13. Hisham Salim Dib - suspected on involvement in the suicide bombing
attack at Dizengoff Center on March 4, 1996. 13 people were killed in the
attack, for which Hamas claimed responsibility.
14. Nafez Mahmoud Sabih - suspected of involvement in planning the two
suicide bombing attacks on Bus 18 in Jerusalem on February 25 and March 2,
1996, and the suicide bombing attack in Ashkelon on February 25, 1996. A
total of 45 people were killed in the three attacks, for which Hamas
claimed responsibility. Among the victims were 2 American citizens - Sara
Duker and Matthew Eisenfeld.
15. Imad Mahmoud Issa Abbas - suspect in the murder of Moshe Bino and
Amikam Zaltzman, who were stabbed to death in their Karni vegetable
packing house near Gaza by terrorists posing as buyers on June 25, 1992.
16. Atef Hamadan - suspect in the attempted kidnapping and murder of an
IDF soldier on September 18, 1992, and the murder of several Palestinians
suspected on collaborating with Israel. In September 1996, he was arrested
and then released by the Palestinian police, and was drafted to serve in
Jibril Rajoub's Palestinian Preventive Security Service.
17. Rajah Khalil Ali Abu-Sita - resident of Khan Yunis; a Fatah activist
who is suspected of involvement in the murder of Uri Megiddish of Gan-Or
on March 9, 1993. Israel formally requested his transfer on September 29,
1994. On December 24, 1994, the Palestinians rejected Israel's request. He
has since been arrested by the Palestinian police for having killed a
local Palestinian. He confessed to the crime, was tried, and is currently
awaiting sentencing.
18. Amru Abdallah Abu-Sita - resident of Khan Yunis; a Fatah activist who
is suspected of involvement in the murder of Uri Megiddish of Gan-Or on
March 9, 1993. Israel formally requested his transfer on September 29,
1994. On December 24, 1994, the Palestinians rejected Israel's request.
19. Salah Mustafa Othman - resident of Jabalya, Gaza; member of the Hamas
military wing, took part in the attack on Bus 25 in Jerusalem on July 1,
1993 (attempted to commandeer the bus with two accomplices, shot and
killed one Israeli passenger and wounded several others). Israel formally
requested his transfer on several occasions: January 26, 1995, August 29,
1995 and September 6, 1995.
20. Raid Abu Libda - resident of Rafah, Gaza; member of the PFLP,
suspected of murdering Natalia Ivanov in Ashdod on September 23, 1994.
Israel formally requested his transfer on November 30, 1994. Currently
held by the Palestinian police. An accomplice to the crime, Iman Ahmed
Abdallah Hassin, was captured by the IDF on December 14, 1994 near Kfar
Darom and is currently in prison.
21. Iyad Hamdi Abu-Shakafa - resident of Khan Yunis; Fatah member
suspected in the attempted murder of Shaul David in Ramle on February 9,
1994. Israel formally requested his transfer on several occasions:
September 13, 1994, December 13, 1994, August 22, 1995 and September 6,
1995. Currently serving in the Palestinian police.
22-24. Three Palestinian Policemen - During riots at Erez checkpoint on
July 17, 1994, Palestinian policemen opened fire on Israeli forces and
killed border policeman Jackie Attias. On April 26, 1995, Israel submitted
photographic evidence to the PA showing 3 Palestinian policemen shooting
at Israeli troops and requested their transfer to Israel.
25. Iyad Abdelkader Ismail Basheeti - resident of Rafah, Gaza; Hamas
member, suspected of involvement in the murder of two Israelis in Ramle on
August 26, 1994. Israel formally requested his transfer on several
occasions: August 28, 1994 and August 22, 1995. He was arrested and then
set free by the Palestinian police, who then apparently drafted him to
join their ranks.
26. Yusuf Mahmoud Abdelaziz Malahi - resident of Rafah, Gaza; Hamas
member, suspected of involvement in the murder of two Israelis in Ramle on
August 26, 1994. Israel formally requested his transfer on August 28, 1994
and August 22, 1995. He was arrested and then set free by the Palestinian
police, and is currently in the process of being drafted to serve in their
ranks.
27. Shahdi Subhi Abdel Rahman Abu Khaja - suspect in the attempted murder
of Shimon Dror on September 19, 1994. Israel formally requested his
transfer on several occasions: December 13, 1994, August 29, 1995 and
September 6, 1995. The PA has failed to respond to the Israeli requests.
An accomplice to the crime, Majdi Khalifa, was caught by Israel and is
currently serving a 12-year prison sentence.
28. Yusuf Muhammad Ahmed Raghi - resident of Kalkilya; participated in the
murder of two Israeli hikers, Ohad Bachrach and Uri Shahor in Wadi Kelt on
July 18, 1995. Israel formally requested his transfer on September 13,
1995 and November 14, 1995. He was arrested by Palestinian Intelligence in
September 1995 and sentenced to 7 years in prison.
29. Shaher Ali Ahmed Raghi - resident of Kalkilya; participated in the
murder of two Israeli hikers, Ohad Bachrach and Uri Shahor in Wadi Kelt on
July 18, 1995. Israel formally requested his transfer on September 13,
1995 and November 14, 1995. He was arrested by Palestinian Intelligence in
September 1995 and sentenced to 7 years in prison and hard labor. He
remains under detention by the Palestinian General Intelligence Service.
30. Khader Saba Yakub Abu Abra - resident of Beit Jallah, Bethlehem;
member of the PFLP, suspected of attempts to obtain weapons for the PFLP,
and apparently issued instructions to the attackers who killed two Israeli
hikers in Wadi Kelt on July 18, 1995. Israel formally requested his
transfer on September 13, 1995 and November 14, 1995. He was arrested by
the Palestinian police on February 15, 1996 in the wake of a grenade
attack on a joint patrol near Beit Jallah. He was held until May 1996,
when he was released and placed under house arrest.
31. Muhi a-Din a-Sharif - transported the explosives to the terrorist who
carried out the suicide bombing attack against Bus 26 in Jerusalem in
August 1995. Three people were killed in the attack, including Joan
Davenny, an American schoolteacher from Connecticut, and 103 others were
injured. Israel formally requested his transfer on March 13, 1996.
32. Abd al-Majid Dudin - resident of Dura; Hamas member, trained people to
carry out suicide bombings, including the terrorist who attacked Bus 26 in
Jerusalem in August 1995. Three people were killed in the attack,
including Joan Davenny, a schoolteacher from Connecticut, and 103 others
were injured. Israel formally requested his transfer on March 12, 1996. He
was arrested by the Palestinian police in July 1996 and sentenced to 12
years in prison.
33. Ala Ahmed Abd al-Munim Salah - resident of Khan Yunis; member of the
DFLP; suspected of involvement in the murder of Yossi Zindani in
Beni-Ayish on March 31, 1994. Israel formally requested his transfer on
July 10, 1996. He was recently arrested by the Palestinian police,
apparently in connection with criminal activity.
34. Awad Silmi - resident of Gaza; took part in many terror attacks,
including the murder of Lt. Col. Meir Mintz and various shooting attacks,
and was connected to at least one suicide bombing attack. Israel formally
requested his transfer on March 13, 1996. Currently detained by the
Palestinian Preventive Intelligence Service.
35. Ibrahim Lateef Shaheed - resident of Tulkarem; Fatah member wanted for
the murder of Labib Latif Shadeed, a suspected collaborator with Israel,
on October 12, 1994. Fled to Jericho and is active under the protection of
the Palestinian Preventive Security Service. Israel requested his transfer
on June 18, 1995 and September 6, 1995. Currently serves in the
Palestinian police in Tulkarem.
36. Khalil Abdel Rahman Abadi - suspect in the murder of his brother on
March 13, 1995. The motive is believed to have been his brother's alleged
collaboration with Israel or perhaps a family dispute. Israel formally
requested his transfer on August 29, 1995.