Communicated by the Israel
Government Press Office
December 11, 1997

Palestinians refuse to hand over car thieves
and sex offenders to Israel
in violation of Oslo

Ten Criminals Remain Free
in PA-Controlled Areas 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 withall 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

Israel has submitted requests to the PA for the transfer of 10 criminal suspects wanted for a range of crimes including armed robbery, car theft, tax evasion, murder and sexual assault of minors. Thus far, the PA has failed to respond to Israel's requests and refuses to hand over any of the suspects.

In an interview with the official PA newspaper Al-Hayat Al-Jadeeda on November 24, 1997, PA Attorney-General Fayez Abu Rahma reaffirmed the PA's refusal to transfer suspects to Israel. The PA's policy is a flagrant violation of the Oslo Accords and the Hebron Protocol, and it encourages criminals to carry out further illicitactivities, for they know that the PA will provide them with a haven to which they can flee from justice.

In addition, Israel has submitted 34 requests to the PA for the transfer of terror suspects, all of whom the PA has refused to hand over. At least 12 of the 34 terror suspects are either serving in the Palestinian police or are in the process of joining its ranks.

Following is a list of the 10 criminal suspects whom the PA is refusing to hand over to Israel:

  1. Yusuf Amouri - convicted of committing a series of indecent acts with 3 young girls, he was sentenced to 12 months in prison by an Israeli court. Israel submitted a formal request to the PA for his transfer on December 29, 1996. On August 25, 1997, Israel sent a reminder to the PA concerning the request. The PA has thusfar failed to respond.
  2. Salem Daher - charged with committing indecent acts with minors in August 1994 at the school where he was employed, Daher fled to Palestinian-controlled territory during his trial. On October 12, 1997, Israel submitted a formal request to the PA for his transfer.
  3. Said Ahmed - charged with committing indecent acts with minors in August 1994 at the school where he was employed, Ahmed fled to Palestinian-controlled territory during his trial. On October 12, 1997, Israel submitted a formal request to the PA for his transfer.
  4. Abdallah el-Assad - convicted by an Israeli court on two counts of dealing in illicit hard drugs, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Israel submitted a formal request to the PA for his transfer on September 17, 1997. The PA has thus far failed to respond.
  5. Jamil al-A'amla - convicted by an Israeli court for tax evasion, he was sentenced to 12 months in prison and fined 100,000 NIS. Israel submitted a formal request for his transfer on September 17, 1997. The PA has thus far failed to respond.
  6. Mahmoud A'akel - convicted by an Israeli court for tax evasion, he was sentenced to 9 months in prison and fined 70,000 NIS. Israel submitted a formal request for his transfer on September 17, 1997. The PA has thus far failed to respond.
  7. Khaled Mahmoud Amru - wanted for stealing dozens of Israeli cars, transferring them to PA-controlled territory and reselling them in 1995-96. Israel has submitted numerous requests to the PA for his transfer, including on March 31, 1997 and September 17, 1997.
  8. Hassan Ahmed al-Rashida - wanted for stealing dozens of Israeli cars, transferring them to PA-controlled territory and reselling them in 1995-96. Israel has submitted numerous requests to the PA for his transfer, including on March 31, 1997 and September 17, 1997.
  9. Bilal Nasri Rashid Aish - wanted for participating in an armed robbery in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo on December 21, 1994. Israel first submitted a formal request to the PA for his transfer on November 9, 1995 and later resubmitted the request on several occasions, including on March 31, 1997 and September 17,1997.
  10. Nabil Hassan Abu Khader - wanted for the murder of his sister, Taghrib Diab, on July 20, 1994. Israel first submitted a formal request to the PA for his transfer on December 14, 1995 and later resubmitted the request on several occasions, including on March 31, 1997 and September 17, 1997.