JENIN, April 4, 2011 (WAFA)- Juliano Mer-Khamis, an Israeli film director and founder of the Freedom Theater in Jenin refugee camp, was shot dead Monday after leaving the theater, according to witnesses and security sources..

The 52-year old actor and director was shot five times in yet unknown circumstances.

Prime Minister Salam Fayyad strongly condemned the killing, calling it a heinous crime and against Palestinian customs and traditions,

He called for immediate investigation into the killing calling to bring the killer to justice. He also said he will not allow return to lawlessness.

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Jenin’s governor, Qadura Musa, also condemned the murder saying that 'I strongly condemn the murder of Mer-Khamis, who showed solidarity with the Palestinians.'

 
Musa stated that Mer-Khamis’s body was handed to the Israeli authorities at al-Jalama crossing north of Jenin.

 
Mer-Khamis ,a pro-Palestinian political activist, was born in Nazareth to a Jewish mother, Arna Mer, a peace activist,  and a Palestinian father, Saliba Khamis, who was a senior leader of the Israeli Communist party.

 
Mer-Khamis visited Jenin’s refugee camp in 2002 with his mother who worked there and documented the visit in his film ‘Arna’s Children’ in 2003. His last directed play was al Karasi (the Chairs),’ which had its debut on Sunday at the opening of al-Manara Theater Festival at al-Kasaba theater in Ramallah.

He lived in Jenin refugee camp  where his  mother had worked with the camp children to help them escape the violence of the first intifada,

The Freedom Theater became one of Jenin’s cultural centers since its establishment in 2006.

Y.Y./M.A.