A Palestinian minister has been killed after suffering a beating at the hands of Israeli forces during a protest in the West Bank, in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Witnesses said Ziad Abu Ein,the leader of the Anti-Wall and Settlement Commission, had choked on tear gas and was beaten in the chest by Israeli soldiers, before being taken to a hospital where he died.
The minister was leading a group of Palestinians to the West Bank village of Turmus Aya to plant olive tree saplings on land close to an Israeli settlement, when they were accosted by the army.
Israeli soldier attacking & choking Fateh leader & PA minister #ZiadAbuEin he later died from his injuries pic.twitter.com/XFEAgWK7sw
— Tweet_Palestine (@Tweet_Palestine) December 10, 2014
Abu Ain was part of non-violent protest against settlements when confronted an killed. Protesters were carrying flags & olive brances
— Yousef Munayyer (@YousefMunayyer) December 10, 2014
The Palestinian Authority have declared three days of mourning.
Dr. Saeb Erakat, PLO Executive Committee Member and Chief Palestinian Negotiator, condemned the killing of Minister Ziad Abu Ein by Israeli Occupation Forces.
“PLO Executive Committee Member and Chief Palestinian Negotiator Dr. Saeb Erakat condemned in the strongest terms the killing of Minister Ziad Abu Ein by Israeli Occupation Forces. “The killing of the Minister Abu Ein, is another example of Israel’s vicious and arrogant actions committed against the Palestinians.”
Some information about Ziyad Abu Ein’s time in prison from the Palestinian Prisoners Society pic.twitter.com/ySIEJYRV0O
— Dalia Hatuqa (@DaliaHatuqa) December 10, 2014
The Israeli Defence Force says it is still reviewing the incident.
IDF reviewing occurrences at demonstration leading to the reported death of a Palestinian. Updates to follow.
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) December 10, 2014
Broader Palestinian leadership will meet tonight at 7PM in Ramallah to discuss response to the death of minister/Fatah official Ziad Abu Ein
— Dalia Hatuqa (@DaliaHatuqa) December 10, 2014
