Palestinian Minister Dies Following Clash with Israeli Police

One of the ministers of the Palestinian Authority died on Wednesday, December 19, during a clash with Israeli border police in the West Bank. Reuters reports that Israeli border police applied pressure to the throat of Ziad Abu Ein, a member of Mahmoud Abbas's government. Mr. Abu Ein, 55, was present among foreign human rights activists and a number of Palestinians who were protesting against Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Reuters writes that Israeli soldiers and border police fired tear gas and sound grenades at the protesters, leading to clashes between the two sides, during which a border police officer grabbed Ziad Abu Ein's neck and applied severe pressure. Mr. Abu Ein lost consciousness moments after this incident and fell to the ground, ultimately dying on the way to the hospital. The report states that the exact cause of Ziad Abu Ein's death is not yet clear, and Palestinian, Israeli, and Jordanian specialists have begun the autopsy process. The Israeli army has also stated in a statement that it is investigating the circumstances that led to Mr. Abu Ein's death. However, Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, condemned this incident, calling it a 'brutal' act that should not be ignored. He also emphasized that the Palestinian side will take 'necessary measures' after conducting investigations regarding this incident. Ziad Abu Ein had previously been tried for involvement in the death of two Israeli youths in 1979 but was released in 1985 during a prisoner exchange. Mr. Abu Ein is remembered as one of the civil leaders of Palestine and a prominent opponent of Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank, having been appointed this year as the head of the committee opposing Israeli settlements and wall construction. Moments before his death, he had told television reporters that Israeli settlement activities were 'occupying terrorism.'