Nizar Khalil Mohammad Banat was a Palestinian political and human rights activist, born in 1978 in the city of Hebron in the West Bank, originally from the depopulated village of Ajjur. He was known for his bold stances and outspoken criticism of the Palestinian Authority, particularly regarding corruption and human rights violations.
He was one of the most prominent independent voices who used social media to convey his messages, publishing videos and posts that criticized the Authority’s policies and shed light on corruption cases—most notably the controversial COVID-19 vaccine deal between the Palestinian Authority and Israel.
Banat was subjected to multiple arrests and harassment by Palestinian security forces due to his political activism. In May 2021, after announcing his candidacy in the legislative elections on the Freedom and Justice list, his home was targeted with gunfire and stun grenades.
On June 24, 2021, a Palestinian security force arrested him from his home. Within an hour of his arrest, his death was announced at Hebron Governmental Hospital.
According to human rights reports and testimonies from his family, Banat was severely beaten and assaulted during his arrest, leading to his death. His family described the incident as a “premeditated assassination.”
His death sparked widespread outrage and protests across the West Bank. Local and international human rights organizations demanded an independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances of his death and the prosecution of those responsible.
Four years later, justice remains elusive, as those accountable for his killing have not been effectively held to account.
The case of Nizar Banat has become a symbol of the struggle for freedom of expression and human rights in Palestine, highlighting the challenges faced by activists and dissidents within a complex political environment.