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Palestinian Cabinet Member, Ziyad Abu Ain Killed by Israeli Occupation Soldiers During a Peaceful Protest

December 10, 2014

 

Palestinian Cabinet Member, Ziyad Abu Ain Killed by Israeli Soldiers during a peaceful protest

 

Palestinian Cabinet Member, Ziyad Abu Ain Killed by Israeli Soldiers

Wednesday December 10, 2014 21:48 by IMEMC News & Agencies

Abbas says all options up for debate

The head of the Palestinian Authority committee against the separation wall and settlements has died after being assaulted by Israeli soldiers in a village near Ramallah.

55-year-old Ziad Abu Ein died after an Israeli soldier beat him on the chest with his helmet in the village of Turmsayya, director of the committee's information center, Jamil al-Barghouthi, told Ma'an News Agency.

Mr. Abu Ein also reportedly suffered severe tear gas inhalation as Israeli soldiers fired canisters in the area.

A Palestinian security source told AFP that Israeli forces beat Abu Ein with the butts of their rifles and their helmets during a protest march, upon which he lost consciousness and was taken to Ramallah Public Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Medical sources said that Abu Ein lost consciousness and that his heart stopped after being beaten by Israeli soldiers and inhaling tear gas.

According to Ma'an correspondence, Abu Ein was taking part in a tree-planting project in an area of the village threatened with confiscation.

Dozens of other activists were also taking part in the project.

President Mahmoud Abbas said, Wednesday evening, that all options to respond to the killing of the minister are up for debate.

Abbas said that Israel would fabricate accounts in order to clear itself of the "murder of minister Abu Ein," adding: "We are determined to continue popular resistance" until the occupation and settlements are removed.

Earlier Wednesday, the Palestinian leadership indicated that it had decided to end all security coordination with Israel in response to the death.

After Army Killed Minister Abu Ein, Palestine Demands International Protection

Thursday December 11, 2014 01:15 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Following the death of Minister Zia Abu Ein, who was violently assaulted by Israeli soldiers during a nonviolent activity near Ramallah, Permanent Palestinian Observer at the UN Riyad Mansour, demanded the UN to investigate the assault, and to provide protection to the Palestinian people.

Mansour sent three identical letters to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Chad’s Ambassador - the head of the Security Council this month, and the head of the General Assembly, demanding them to stop the escalating Israeli violations and crimes against the Palestinian people, and their representatives.

Mansour provided a detailed account of the incidents that led to the death of Minister Abu Ein, who was violently pushed and beaten by the soldiers, along with many other nonviolent protesters, before the soldiers hurled gas bombs at them, especially targeting the minister leading to his death.

Minister Abu Ein is the head of the Palestinian Committee Against the Wall and Settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Mansour demanded the Security Council and the International Community to act and stop the escalating Israeli crimes.

He added that President Mahmoud Abbas has repeatedly demanded the UN, and its head, to provide international protection for the Palestinian people and their lands, facing constant attacks and crimes by the Israeli occupation army and the extremist settlers, illegally living in the occupied West Bank, and Jerusalem.

Mansour said the world must act and end the illegal, criminal, Israeli occupation of Palestine, so that the Palestinians can establish their independent sovereign state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The ambassador also demanded an international, credible, investigation into the crime that led to the death of the Palestinian Minister, and to punish those responsible for the crime.

He also contacted several countries demanding them to denounce the Israeli crimes, and to act on ending the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

Meanwhile, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini called for an immediate and independent investigation into the death of Minister Abu Ein.

Mogherini issued a press release stating that the constant reports of excessive use of force by the Israeli army against nonviolent protests and activities are very alarming, adding that the International Community needs to understand the seriousness of the situation on the ground.

She also called on all parties to use utmost restraint “in order to prevent further escalation.”

Abu Ein was assaulted by the soldiers while planting, along with dozens of peace activists, olive saplings on lands Israeli illegally intends to confiscate, in Turmus Ayya village, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah.

He also suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, and went into a coma before he was moved to the Ramallah Governmental Hospital, where he died of his wounds.

The lands Israel intends to illegally confiscate from the Palestinians will be used to expand ‘Adi outpost that is, so far, considered illegal by Israel itself.

Abbas: “Israel Must Be Held Accountable For Its Crimes”

Thursday December 11, 2014 08:32 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

During a meeting with scores of officials and ministers in the central West Bank city of Ramallah, following the death of Minister Ziad Abu Ein, President Mahmoud Abbas said all options are open to hold Israel accountable for its crimes, and that the Palestinians are determined to continue the popular resistance against the occupation, its Wall and illegal settlements.

Abbas said the Palestinians are determined to continue their fight against Israel’s illegal colonies in Palestine, to continue the struggle until ending the Israeli occupation, and to establish their independent State.

“Without that, we will not be silent; we will not tolerate those crimes; what happened today [Wednesday] is a crime with all this word entails,” the Palestinian president said, “That is why we are holding this meeting, let me be frank, all options are open, to discuss, debate and implement our next move."

Meanwhile, the United States said “it is concerned” about the latest developments and the death of Abu Ein, who was also beaten by the soldiers, and demanded Tel Aviv to investigate the incident.

Jennifer Paski, spokesperson for the United States Department of State, demanded Israel to conduct “a credible and transparent investigation” into the issue, and called “on both parties to avoid further tension and escalation.”

France, Italy and several European countries also denounced the murder of Abu Ein, called on Israel to investigate it, and stressed on "the importance of resuming direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.”

Clashes Take Place In Different Parts Of Jerusalem

Thursday December 11, 2014 11:49 by IMEMC & Agencies

Clashes took place, on Thursday morning, in different parts of occupied East Jerusalem, while dozens of soldiers have been deployed in various parts of the city; soldiers also kidnapped five children.

Local sources have reported that clashes took place near the Israeli military roadblock, on the main road leading to the Shu’fat refugee camp, in the center of occupied Jerusalem, after the soldiers closed the roadblock, and prevented the residents from crossing.

The soldiers fired gas bombs and concussion grenades, and sprayed the residents with waste-water mixed with chemicals, while local youths hurled stones and empty bottles at them.

The WAFA News Agency has reported that clashes also took place in different neighborhoods in Silwan town, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and that the soldiers kidnapped five children before taking them to an interrogation center in the city.

More clashes took place in Silwan town overnight and during morning hours, while the dozens of soldiers surrounded all roads leading to the town, stopped and searched dozens of cars, and investigated the ID cards of the passengers.

On Wednesday at night, clashes took place at the main entrance of the al-‘Ezariyya town, southeast of Jerusalem.

Israeli sources said Palestinian youths also hurled stones at settlers’ cars, on the main road leading to the Ma’ale Adumim settlement, and clashed with Israeli soldiers who fired gas bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets.

Medical sources said many residents suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, and received treatment by local medics.

In addition, overnight clashes took place in Wadi al-Joz neighborhood, and the soldiers also fired gas bombs and closed the main road of the neighborhood until early morning hours.

Clashes are still taking place in different parts of the occupied West Bank, and Jerusalem.

On Wednesday evening, clashes took place in the ar-Ram and ‘Anata towns, extending until midnight near the Qalandia terminal, north of Jerusalem.

Protests took place in different parts of the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem following the Wednesday death of Palestinian Minister Ziad Abu Ein, who was violently assaulted by Israeli soldiers during a nonviolent activity near Ramallah.

Autopsy confirmed Abu ‘Ein, whose death was captured on tape while the soldiers were assaulting him, died due to excessive force, choking, and due to severe effects of tear gas inhalation.

The WAFA News Agency said Palestinian, Israeli and Jordanian forensic experts participated in the autopsy and confirmed the cause of death, but the only the Palestinian and Jordanian doctors signed the report, while the Israeli doctors confirmed the autopsy findings, but refused to sign.

Head of the Palestinian Forensic Center Dr. Saber al-‘Aloul said primary results of the autopsy revealed that Minister Abu ‘Ein died due to excessive use of force by the soldiers, especially since he was repeatedly struck in the face, and was choked.

Al-‘Aloul said Abu ‘Ein lost several front teeth when the soldiers punched him on his mouth and face, and that he swallowed some of the teeth that became lodged in his throat.

Clear signs of beating were found on his body, while his neck showed choking marks and signs of violence, including on his thyroid cartilage.

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