High PA official and Palestinian Israel-licensed attorney arrested for terror shootings

Zakaria Zubeidi, a Palestinian Authority official, and Trek Barghouti, a Palestinian Israeli attorney were arrested on Monday, accused of a string of shooting attacks last year north of Jerusalem, according to new evidence gathered by the Shin Bet. They allegedly used a PA vehicle driven by Zubeidi, in his capacity as the Authority’s senior prisons officer, and were planning more attacks when they were nabbed. Zubeidi, once on Israel’s most wanted terrorist list for leading a murderous campaign in the 2000- 2002 “intifada,” was granted an Israeli amnesty in 2007 after vowing to turn a new leaf and renounce terrorism. Since 2011, he has gone back on his pledge but was never indicted. In late February, Zubeidi was arrested in Ramallah, with Barghouti, who often represents Palestinian terrorists in Israeli courts, in connection with “serious and current terrorist activities.”. During their arrest, his vehicle and an M-16 rifle were seized.

When charged with gunfire last December on a bus traveling to Pisagot, they confessed to a previous shooting in November on an Israeli police car at the Zeitim checkpoint near Jerusalem. There were no casualties. However, the murders for which Zbeidi was granted an Israeli amnesty 12 years ago have been added to the current charge sheet.