Palestinian activist Barghouti claims Israeli 'agents' attempted his assassination

Mustafa Barghouti says assailants shouted “let the intifada benefit you” before fleeing from scene.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
Mustafa Barghouti. (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Mustafa Barghouti.
(photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Mustafa Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian activist and former presidential candidate, claimed on Sunday that unidentified assailants tried to assassinate him outside his home in Ramallah.
Barghouti, who heads the Palestinian National Initiative, also known as al-Mubadara, said that the attack took place on Saturday night.
Barghouti was wounded in the face after being stabbed with a sharp instrument. His two attackers fled the scene and the motive remained unclear as of Sunday.
Barghouti said the assailants shouted at him “let the intifada benefit you” before they fled the scene.
At a press conference in Ramallah, Barghouti claimed that the attack was an “assassination attempt” on his life. He hinted that the attackers were Israeli “agents.”
Adnan Damiri, spokesman for the Palestinian Authority security forces, denounced the attack on Barghouti.
He said that an investigation has been launched to identify and apprehend the culprits.