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Senior Palestinian official dies after clash with Israeli forces in West Bank Senior Palestinian official dies after clash with Israeli forces in West Bank
(35 minutes later)
JERUSALEM — A senior member of Palestinian administration in the West Bank died Wednesday after a confrontation with Israeli forces at a protest march over land seizures, Palestinian officials and witnesses said. JERUSALEM — A senior Palestinian cabinet member died Wednesday after a confrontation with Israeli forces at a protest march in the West Bank over land seizures, officials and witnesses said, touching off outrage from Palestinian officials.
The death of Zaid Abu Ein, a longtime member of the Palestinian Authority cabinet, could further sharpen tensions after a recent wave of protests and clashes over a contested holy site in Jerusalem. The death of Ziad Abu Ein, a longtime member of the Palestinian Authority’s administration, is certain to sharpen tensions after a recent wave of terrorist attacks and clashes set in motion by showdowns over a contested holy site in Jerusalem.
The full details of the incident were not immediately clear. Some witnesses said Abu Ein, who headed the Palestinian agency opposing Jewish settlements in the West Bank, was hit by a tear gas canister. Other reports said he was struck by an Israeli solider’s rifle butt. The full details of the incident were not immediately clear.
Abu Ein died en route to a hospital after suffering the injuries near the West Bank village of Turmus Aya, where he and other Palestinians were protesting land confiscations by Israeli authorities, Mahmoud Aloul, a member of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah movement, told the Associated Press. Some witnesses said Abu Ein, who headed the Palestinian agency opposing Jewish settlements in the West Bank, was hit by a tear gas canister. Other reports said he was struck by an Israeli solider’s rifle butt.
The march was meant to coincide with the International Human Rights Day. Video clips showed the 55-year-old Abu Ein on the ground and clutching his chest near a row of Israeli soldiers facing off against protesters.
Reut Mor, a spokesperson for Yesh Din, an Israeli human rights organization that was involved in organizing the march said that roughly 100 villages had been making their way with flags and olive trees towards the land where the outpost currently sits. He died after being taken for medical care from the clash site near the West Bank village of Turmus Aya, Mahmoud Aloul, a member of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah movement, told the Associated Press.
The Israeli military said it was investigating.
Reut Mor, a spokesperson for Yesh Din, an Israeli human rights organization that was involved in organizing the march, said that roughly 100 villagers had been making their way with flags and olive trees. The march was meant to coincide with the International Human Rights Day.
“It was a quiet march, there was no violence, no stones, people were holding flags and olive trees when suddenly the protesters met almost as many soldiers. They stood in front of us and started shooting tear gas and stun grenades even though there were no violence from our side,” she said.“It was a quiet march, there was no violence, no stones, people were holding flags and olive trees when suddenly the protesters met almost as many soldiers. They stood in front of us and started shooting tear gas and stun grenades even though there were no violence from our side,” she said.
According to witnesses, one soldier took his gun and hit Abu Ein in the chest causing him to collapse. He was received medical treatment at the site and was taken conscious to the hospital, said Mor. According to witnesses, one soldier took his gun and hit Abu Ein in the chest, causing him to collapse. He was conscious was he left for the hospital, said Mor.
The AP quoted other witnesses saying Abu Ein was hit by a tear gas canister fired by Israeli forces.The AP quoted other witnesses saying Abu Ein was hit by a tear gas canister fired by Israeli forces.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called it a “barbaric act” and promised to take “the proper actions after the investigation reveals how he was killed,” the Palestinian al-Quds newspaper reported. Abbas called it a “barbaric act” and promised to take “the proper actions after the investigation reveals how he was killed,” the Palestinian al-Quds newspaper said. He called for a three-day mourning period.
Israeli media immediately reported that Palestinian Authority had cancelled all security coordination with Israeli over the incident and called for a three-day mourning period over Abu Ein’s death. Israeli media reported that Hamas, the militant Palestinian group that rules the Gaza Strip, called on the Palestinian Authority to cancel all security coordination with Israeli over the incident.
Abu Ein also suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure, his family said. “The Israel government bears full responsibility for the killing of Minister Abu Ein and the systematic crimes committed against the Palestinian people,” said Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian peace negotiator. “This new assassination will have severe consequences.”
Tensions have been running high in the region over disputes stemming from access to an area known as the Temple Mount to Jews and the Noble Sanctuary to Muslim — an area holy to both faiths. Palestinian officials said an autopsy would be performed to determine the cause of death. Abu Ein also suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure, his family said.
Many Palestinians were deeply angered by Israel’s decision last month to temporarily suspend access to the Al-Aqsa mosque, located on the site, after Palestinian gunman in late October tried to kill an Israeli American activist who wants Jews to be allowed to pray there. Tensions have been running high in the region since last summer’s 50-day war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and over continuing disputes stemming from access to an area known as the Temple Mount to Jews and the Noble Sanctuary to Muslim — an area holy to both faiths.
Jews and Christians are normally allowed to visit the area as tourists. But they are banned from praying, singing or making religious displays.
A series of clashes and bloodshed followed, including a Palestinian attack last month that left five people dead at a Jerusalem synagogue, including three American-born Israelis.A series of clashes and bloodshed followed, including a Palestinian attack last month that left five people dead at a Jerusalem synagogue, including three American-born Israelis.
Murphy reported from Washington.Murphy reported from Washington.