Statement from the General Delegation of the PLO to the US regarding the brutal killing of Juliano Mer-Khamis

The General Delegation of the Palestine Liberation Organization to the United States condemns in the strongest terms the brutal killing of Juliano Mer-Khamis. For many years, Mr. Mer-Khamis was a champion of the rights and freedoms of Palestinians who’s Freedom Theatre was cited by the group explore.org as aiming to “demonstrate a model of artistic excellence in theatre in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and, using the creative process as a model for social change, provide opportunities for the children and youth of Jenin Refugee Camp to develop the skills, self-knowledge and confidence which would empower them to challenge present realities and to take control of their future.” Palestinian security officials have made this affair a national priority.

Mr. Mer-Khamis was driving his car near the theater with his infant son and a babysitter when a gunman ordered him to pull over and shot him. Jenin governor Qadura Moussa called Mer Khamis a "great supporter of the Palestinian people." He said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told him to bring those responsible for his death to justice. Palestinian investigators were instructed by West Bank Prime Minister Salam Fayyad to work around the clock to locate the gunmen.

Perhaps the greatest endorsement Mer-Khamis comes from the children of Jenin. Theater students released a statement today, saying:

"Juliano, your mother’s children have passed away, your mother Arna has passed away and so did you - but your children are going to stay, following your path on the way to the freedom battle, and we will go on with your revolution’s promise, the Jasmine revolution.”

"The Revolutionary message will not pass away. It will come storming the yellow sands and the mountains covered by almond trees, blowing the jasmine revolution out of the freedom fighter’s hands, from here, from the Freedom Theater’s stage, where men were and are made to be free and engaged in the cultural revolutionary battle for Freedom.

"In thousands of silences only one violin is playing, and in thousands of silences only one voice is raising up, it’s the freedom fighters’ voices, to whom you taught how to carry the cultural gun on their shoulders."

The statement was signed, "Juliano's Children."

The General Delegation of the PLO to the United States can only express its deepest remorse and outrage at this savage attack and remember Mer-Khamis as a martyr in the truest sense of the word.