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Palestinian minister Ziad Abu Ein buried in Ramallah Palestinian minister Ziad Abu Ein buried in Ramallah
(about 1 hour later)
A senior minister in the government of the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, who died following a violent confrontation with Israeli troops has been buried to the sound of gunfire in the West Bank city of Ramallah. A senior minister in the government of the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, who died following a violent confrontation with Israeli troops has been buried to the sound of gunfire in Ramallah, West Bank.
Ziad Abu Ein, whose responsibilities included the issue of Israeli settlements and the separation wall, died as he was being rushed to hospital after becoming involved in clashes while trying to plant olive trees in the village of Turmusiya near Ramallah. Ziad Abu Ein, whose responsibilities included the issue of Israeli settlements and the separation wall, died as he was being rushed to hospital after becoming involved in clashes while trying to plant olive trees in Turmusiya, a village near Ramallah.
His coffin was brought in state on Thursday to the Muqata, Abbas’s headquarters, and wrapped in the Palestinian flag as it was paraded through the streets of Ramallah. It was accompanied by thousands of mourners to the cemetery, where he was buried accompanied by the firing of weapons.His coffin was brought in state on Thursday to the Muqata, Abbas’s headquarters, and wrapped in the Palestinian flag as it was paraded through the streets of Ramallah. It was accompanied by thousands of mourners to the cemetery, where he was buried accompanied by the firing of weapons.
Among those who came to pay their respects was Khalid Itmazi, a senior Fatah official, who said the international community should hold Israel responsible for Abu Ein’s death.Among those who came to pay their respects was Khalid Itmazi, a senior Fatah official, who said the international community should hold Israel responsible for Abu Ein’s death.
“The Palestinian people were asked by the Americans and the Europeans to make their cause a popular one and a peaceful one,” he said. “We did that but in exchange we have neither peace nor stability. After this we should liquidate the Palestinian Authority and put the occupation under Israeli authority.”“The Palestinian people were asked by the Americans and the Europeans to make their cause a popular one and a peaceful one,” he said. “We did that but in exchange we have neither peace nor stability. After this we should liquidate the Palestinian Authority and put the occupation under Israeli authority.”
Another mourner was Tayseer Naserallah, who spent time in jail with Abu Ein between 1980 and 1985 before being released as part of a deal and is now a Palestinian national council member.Another mourner was Tayseer Naserallah, who spent time in jail with Abu Ein between 1980 and 1985 before being released as part of a deal and is now a Palestinian national council member.
“We should reconsider all relations between Palestinians and Israelis,” he told the Guardian. “All the agreements need to be looked at again. We do not have Israel as a genuine partner for peace. This is a sad day but hopefully it will also be remembered as a turning point in the Palestinian struggle.”“We should reconsider all relations between Palestinians and Israelis,” he told the Guardian. “All the agreements need to be looked at again. We do not have Israel as a genuine partner for peace. This is a sad day but hopefully it will also be remembered as a turning point in the Palestinian struggle.”
The funeral came amid heightened tensions in the West Bank and as Palestinian and Israeli pathologists gave different accounts of the cause of Abu Ein’s death.The funeral came amid heightened tensions in the West Bank and as Palestinian and Israeli pathologists gave different accounts of the cause of Abu Ein’s death.
Following a joint autopsy, the Palestinian doctor concluded that he died as a result of a blow to his body, not of natural causes. The Israeli doctor said the 55-year-old’s death was caused by the blockage of a coronary artery.Following a joint autopsy, the Palestinian doctor concluded that he died as a result of a blow to his body, not of natural causes. The Israeli doctor said the 55-year-old’s death was caused by the blockage of a coronary artery.
Abu Ein died on Wednesday, shortly after a West Bank confrontation between Palestinian protesters and Israeli border police. An Israeli officer grabbed Abu Ein by the throat at one point. Troops also fired teargas.Abu Ein died on Wednesday, shortly after a West Bank confrontation between Palestinian protesters and Israeli border police. An Israeli officer grabbed Abu Ein by the throat at one point. Troops also fired teargas.
Israel reinforced its security presence around Ramallah before the funeral with two battalions of soldiers and two companies of border police.Israel reinforced its security presence around Ramallah before the funeral with two battalions of soldiers and two companies of border police.
On Wednesday, Abbas described the attack as “a barbaric act which we cannot be silent about or accept”. He announced three days of national mourning and said he would take “necessary steps” following an investigation.On Wednesday, Abbas described the attack as “a barbaric act which we cannot be silent about or accept”. He announced three days of national mourning and said he would take “necessary steps” following an investigation.
Israel’s defence minister, Moshe Yaalon, issued a statement expressing sorrow. “The event in which Ziad Abu Ain died is under investigation by the IDF,” he said. “We have proposed a joint investigation to the Palestinian Authority and that a joint autopsy be carried out on Abu Ain’s body. Security stability is important to both sides and we will continue coordination with the PA.” Israel’s defence minister, Moshe Ya’alon, issued a statement expressing sorrow. “The event in which Ziad Abu Ain died is under investigation by the IDF,” he said. “We have proposed a joint investigation to the Palestinian Authority and that a joint autopsy be carried out on Abu Ain’s body. Security stability is important to both sides and we will continue coordination with the PA.”