Free Republic

Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN “Palestinian refugee” agency UNRWA, on Monday denied knowing that one of the agency’s employees, Fateh Sherif Abu el-Amin, was a Hamas commander in Lebanon, Reuters reported. Hamas announced earlier that el-Amin, who led its Lebanon branch, was eliminated in an Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon along with family members. Lazzarini acknowledged that el-Amin had been suspended from his job and put under investigation back in March due to concerns about his affiliations, but added, "The specific allegation at the time was that (he was) a part of the local leadership... I never...

Video and photo included. SNIPPET: "FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — After four days of deliberation, a Cumberland County jury found hit-and-run rampage suspect Abdullah El-Amin Shareef guilty of 10 charges, including first-degree murder and attempted murder, for a hit-and-run rampage that encompassed parts of three counties in 2004. Shareef, 31, of Raeford, will be sentenced on Thursday. He faces the death penalty." SNIPPET: "Shareef's family and friends say the jury’s decision ignored testimony from mental health professionals like Rashad Rahmaan. Rahmaan, a friend of Shareef's family..."

What prompted Democratic organizer Jarvis El-Amin to campaign for Hillsborough elections chief Buddy Johnson, a Republican? TAMPA — In newspaper ads bought with tax money, Elections Supervisor Buddy Johnson announced in late October a voter education rally and introduced his new partner, "community empowerment organizer" Jarvis El-Amin. El-Amin had little in common with Johnson, a Plant City Baptist and restaurateur who won three terms in the Florida Legislature as a Republican, was appointed to head the Florida Real Estate Division and the Hillsborough Elections Office by a Republican governor, then was returned to the elections office for a second term...