Israeli forces kidnap Palestinian Legislative Council Speaker Dr. Aziz Adwaik

August 6, 2006

Ramallah-Ma'an-Israeli forces have arrested Palestinian Legislative Council Speaker, Dr.Abdul Aziz Adwaik from his home in Ramallah.

A large contingent of 12 or more Israeli military vehicles surrounded Dr. Adwaik's house late on Saturday night. They used loudspeakers to demand that he surrender to them or they will break into the house and arrest him.

Dr. Adwaik went with the Israeli soldiers who had come to his home to arrest him.

Palestinian President Ismail Haniyeh described the kidnap of Dr. Adwaik as an 'act of ugly piracy' and part of ongoing Israeli piracy against the Palestinian people.

Members of the Change and Reform block in Nablus condemned Dr. Adwaik's kidnap, saying that it was against all international laws and international legitimacy.

Israeli forces have tried to abduct Dr. Adwaik several times before, including when Israel kidnapped more that 64 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council and ministers in the Palestinian government.