He was the founder of the Freedom Theatre in a refugee camp.

Filmmaker, actor and theatre veteran Juliano Mer-Khamis was shot and killed Monday night in the West Bank city of Jenin on Monday, according to wire reports. A memorial service was held today.

The 52-year-old actor, who recently appeared in Julian Schnabel’s Miral, was the founder of the Freedom Theatre. His other film credits include The Little Drummer Girl with Diane Keaton, Amos Gitai’s Kippur, and Avi Nesher’s Rage and Glory. In Miral he played Sheikh Saabah.

Palestinian Authority officials have now arrested a Hamas operative who is suspected of being involved in the killing. Authorities had arrested other suspects but released them.

The Jerusalem Post reports that a masked assailant shot Mer-Khamis five times at close range near the entrance to the theatre, which he established in 2006. The drama centre, in the Palestinian Refugee Camp, had been firebombed in 2009.

Mer Khamis was the son of a Jewish mother who was an activist for Palestinian rights and a Christian Palestinian father. He was an Israeli citizen who served in the Israeli army but was outspoken against some Israeli policies toward the Palestinians.

The theatre had provoked controversy by allowing co-ed activities. A partner in the theatre said it would continue after Mer-Khamis’ death.

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said: “We cannot stand silent in the face of this ugly crime. It constitutes a grave violation that goes beyond all principles and human values, and it contravenes the customs and ethics of coexistence.”

He is survived by his wife, who is pregnant with twins.

Explore.org is offering this video tribute to him.

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