The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (MIFTAH) is seriously alarmed at the continuation of Israel's policy of political assassinations and extra-judicial killings against prominent Palestinian personalities and political figures.

The assassination of Sgt. Mas'oud Ayyad at Jabalia Junction in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, February 13, 2001 brings the total number of Palestinians assassinated by Israeli security forces since late September 2000 to 21.

Sgt. Ayyad, a 55-year old senior member of the Palestinian Security Forces (Force 17), was killed when 4 missiles were deliberately fired from an Israeli helicopter on him while driving his car nearby

MIFTAH urges the international community, particularly through the established international legal mechanisms, to hold Israel fully accountable for such acts of terror. Israel's campaign of political assassinations and extra-judicial killings must be halted and dealt with as a crime against the Palestinian people, and against humanity at large.