Chris Bandak
# Chris Bandak

Chris Bandak (Arabic: كريس البندك; born January 13, 1979) is a Palestinian militant, who was convicted in Israel for shooting at Israeli motorists, during the Second Intifada. He is a Greek Orthodox Christian.

## Life

Bandak was born into a Palestinian Christian family on January 13, 1979, in Bethlehem. He was born near the Church of the Nativity, said to mark the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth, and his parents gave him the name Chris through its association with messiahship and since they believe Jesus to be of Palestinian descent as well as a savior of the Palestinians. He has an older brother named Khader. Chris' mother abandoned them when he was one years old. He was reportedly a leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades and the Tanzim, both resistance wings of the Fatah movement. As a result of conviction for crimes related to this involvement he was imprisoned by Israel on February 6, 2003.

He was released in 2011 as part of an exchange for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

