Palestinian man alleges beating in Ramallah

A Palestinian man has claimed that seven men, including two bodyguards of Palestinian Minister of National Economy, Jawad Naji, subjected him to a severe beating in Ramallah. Nizar Banat says he sustained facial injuries after being pounced upon by the seven men as he was leaving the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) conference at the University of Bethlehem on Saturday. "About seven people attacked me, leaving me with injuries to the face and the feet," the young man said. Banat added that he was targeted after arguing with Naji at the conference, adding that he recognised two of the attackers as being the minister's bodyguards. It is believed Palestinian minister Naji left the conference after a verbal dispute with one of the participants, believed to be Banat. State sources accused the young man of insulting the Palestinian leadership ahead of US Secretary of State John Kerry's tour to the region.   People on social media websites described the incident as "dangerous," and called for an investigation.