Assassination attempt on Mustafa Barghouti


October 27, 2015
Sarah Benton


Mustafa Barghouti with a bandage over the knife wound. Photo by Lazar Simeonov.

Lawmaker Mustafa Barghouti attacked near his home

By Ma’an news
Otober 25, 2015

RAMALLAH — Unknown assailants attacked lawmaker Mustafa Barghouthi, the secretary-general and co-founder of the Palestinian National Initiative party, also known as Mubadara, on Saturday, Barghouthi told Ma’an.

Barghouthi said that two men assaulted him with a sharp tool, injuring him in his face in the al-Tira neighbourhood of Ramallah, near his home.

He added that one of the attackers said “let the Intifada protect you” before both men fled, insinuating that the attack could have been nationalistic in nature.

Barghouthi said he had alerted Palestinian security forces about the incident, and requested that an investigation be opened into the attack.

A Palestinian security spokesperson did not immediately respond for comment.


Assassination attempt on Dr. Mustafa Barghouti

By Editor, Palestine Monitor
October 26, 2015

Late Saturday evening two men attacked Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, General Secretary of the Palestine National Initiative, outside his home in Ramallah. The assailant cut an eight-centimetre wound from his left ear down to his cheek with a knife or sharp object.

According to Dr. Barghouti the assailant was aiming at the neck but Dr. Barghouti moved his head, avoiding a fatal injury.

One of the attackers, who spoke Arabic, told Dr. Barghouti, “let the Intifada help you,” suggesting the attack was politically motivated and that they could be collaborators with Israel.

“What happened was an assassination attempt. A cheap and cowardly criminal act,” said Dr. Barghouti.

“I believe the attack is targeted at the Palestinian popular resistance, at the Palestinian people and their leaders. It represents serious risk to freedom of speech, pluralism and Palestinian civil society. Those who committed this crime are not only criminals but are definitely serving the interests of the occupation.”

He added the incident, “represents a risk to people’s personal safety and shows no Palestinian is safe.”

Dr. Barghouti emphasised that the attack should not discourage the popular resistance movement and that he will remain committed to the non-violent struggle.

“It will not stop me from struggling for our freedom, performing my humanitarian work and believing in the power of non-violence. It will not distract me from my duty. We will continue until we stop all settlement activities, until we end this occupation and most importantly, until we guarantee that our prisoners will be released.”

“Our struggle is also aimed at building a free democratic Palestinian state with respect, freedom of speech and organisation.”

Dr. Barghouti thanked all the Palestinians and internationals who called to express their support, adding that this attack will only lead to more unity among the people and an unprecedented level of solidarity.

“You would never have imagined that all these different political parties and organisations would gather in this way. The most important thing is that we have shown the possibility of having a united leadership. We will not be silent about what happened, we have to continue.”


Palestinian activist Barghouti claims Israeli ‘agents’ attempted his assassination

Mustafa Barghouti says assailants shouted “let the intifada benefit you” before fleeing from scene.

By Khaled Abu Toameh, JPost
October 25, 2015

Mustafa Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian activist and former presidential candidate, claimed on Sunday that unidentified assailants tried to assassinate him outside his home in Ramallah.

Barghouti, who heads the Palestinian National Initiative, also known as al-Mubadara, said that the attack took place on Saturday night.

Barghouti was wounded in the face after being stabbed with a sharp instrument. His two attackers fled the scene and the motive remained unclear as of Sunday.

Barghouti said the assailants shouted at him “let the intifada benefit you” before they fled the scene.

At a press conference in Ramallah, Barghouti claimed that the attack was an “assassination attempt” on his life. He hinted that the attackers were Israeli “agents.”

Adnan Damiri, spokesman for the Palestinian Authority security forces, denounced the attack on Barghouti.

He said that an investigation has been launched to identify and apprehend the culprits.

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