Ziad Abu Ein's killing sparks Palestinian 'Day of Rage'

Ziad Abu Ein's killing sparks Palestinian 'Day of Rage'
As the Palestinian popular committees call for a "peaceful Day of rage" in response to the killing of the Palestinian minister, heavy clashes develop between Israeli forces and mourning Palestinians.
2 min read
12 December, 2014
Abu Ein spent a total of 13 years in Israeli and American prisons [Julie Couzinet]
The Palestinian “Popular Resistance Committees” have called for a national day of rage in response to Zian Abu Ein's death, after being struck by Israeli forces, as heavy clashes broke out between Israeli forces and Palestinians across the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem.

The Popular Committees, called upon participants to plant olive trees in “land under threat of confiscation” by the Israeli state in the West Bank.

Additional Israeli forces were deployed in preparation throughout the West Bank, occupied East Jerusalem and around the al-Aqsa mosque where hundreds of Palestinians gathered to pray for Abu Ein.

According to Israeli news agencies five Israeli settlers were injured after a Palestinian threw acid at them near Bethlehem. The Palestinian was shot in the foot and arrested on the scene.

 

Heavy clashes broke out in Hebron after the Israeli army prevented a celebration of Hamas's 27 year anniversary; vandalising the stage, sound system and confiscating party flags.

Meanwhile thousands marched in Gaza to celebrate Hamas's 27 year anniversary.

Arrests

Palestinian media  have reported that Israeli troops have carried out aarrests across the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem, including previously released political prisoners.

Abdallah al-Abdallah, from the occupied East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Wadi al-Jouz, was taken to Hadassa hospital after suffering from a life threatening head injury inflicted upon him during his arrest by Israeli police forces. 

Abu Ein murder

Abu Ein, 55, the head of the anti-Wall and Settlement Commission, died Wednesday after inhaling tear gas and being struck in the chest by an Israeli border police oficer. Video footage showed that Abu Ein was also also strangled by an Israeli officer.

Hussein al-Sheokh, Palestinian Civil affairs minister, said that the Palestinian Authority "holds Israel fully responsible for the killing."

However, Israel's health minister said the death was caused by a "blockage of the coronary artery" which "could have been caused by stress."  

Abu Ein died during a protest march against further land annexation by roughly 300 Palestinians who intended to plant olive trees as a symbolic act of resistance.

He was an active campaigner against the ongoing Israeli policy of land expropriation and the apartheid wall in the West Bank.

United Nation's General Secretary, Ban Kii Moon, stated that he is "deeply saddened" by the murder of Abu Ein and urged the "Israeli authorities to conduct a swift and transparent investigation into the circumstances of the brutal death of Abu Ein." 

Saeb Erekat, chief Palestinian negotiator, said that the Palestinian Authority had decided to “limit” cooperation with Israel and intends to halt security cooperation with Israel.