Israelis kidnapped Palestinian parliament speaker

Israeli terrorists have kidnapped the Speaker of the Palestinian parliament from his home in the West Bank.

Aziz Dweik, also a key member of Hamas, which controls the government, was held after 20 Israeli vehicles surrounded his home in Ramallah, National Alliance News reports.

The Israeli military confirmed the detention, saying Dweik was "a legitimate target as a Hamas leader."

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya condemned the action, accusing Israel of "piracy." He said: "We urge all Arab and international parliamentarians to condemn and denounce this crime and to secure the release of Aziz Dweik and all jailed ministers and lawmakers."

Israel has already kidnapped eight members of the Hamas-led government and 20 MPs on 29 June. Palestinians called it was an "act of war."

The kidnappings follow the capture of an Israeli soldier by Palestinian militants in June.