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April 27, 2005

Rashid Abu Shbak

Reuters describes the newly appointed head of the PA's Preventive Security Service, Rashid Abu Shbak, as "a tough new commander for Palestinian internal security who helped lead a 1990s crackdown on Islamic extremists."

The reporter seems to have selective memory.

The Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs put together this summary of some of Abu Shbak's more recent activities:

* In November 2000, a bomb targeted a school bus just outside the Jewish settlement of Kfar Darom in the Gaza Strip, killing two adults and maiming three children for life. Israeli security sources accused Rashid Abu Shbak of preparing the bomb. (Jerusalem Report)

* Among the Fatah leaders in Gaza, Rashid Abu Shbak is playfully dubbed the "father of mortars," as he had patronized mortar manufacturing in the resistance. (Frontline-India)

* Rashid Abu Shbak is wanted by Israel for his personal involvement in terrorist attacks that have led to the murder of Israelis. (Jerusalem Post)

* After the handover of Gaza and Jericho to the PA, Rashid Abu Shbak referred to pre-1967 Israel when he told Yediot Ahronot on May 29, 1994: "The light which has shone over Gaza and Jericho will also reach the Negev and the Galilee." (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Posted by GI at April 27, 2005 11:37 AM