New troops stationed along the border crossings with the West Bank and in sensitive spots. Ziad Abu Ein hit by teargas, but beatings on his face and chest are not excluded. Israel announces an investigation to clarify the causes of his death; Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, does not exclude possible retaliation. The UN and the EU call for a "rapid and transparent" investigation.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews/Agencies) - There is growing tension between Israel and Palestine, after the death yesterday of a Palestinian minister during confrontation with the Israeli army in a protest in the West Bank. This morning, the Israeli army stationed more troops at sensitive points and along border crossings in the West Bank to deal with possible demonstrations. Meanwhile Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, has said that all options are "open" regarding the possible freezing of cooperation on themes of security with Israeli leaders. The Palestinian front could adopt a hard line in response to the killing of 55 year-old Ziad Abu Ein, a senior official in charge of the Ramallah Dossier referring to the Israeli settlements.

The death of the Palestinian minister, killed by Israeli soldiers, comes at a time of severe crisis in relations between the two sides, fueled by waves of protests in recent weeks in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel has used an iron fist in response to  attacks by people driving cars into  defenseless citizens waiting for public transport, attacks that have led to five deaths. Raising the  tension is the Israeli government's decision to build new settlements in the occupied territories.

 Ziad Abu Ein died yesterday at Ramallah Hospital where he had been taken in serious condition following clashes with the Israeli army during a demonstration in the village of Turmusiya, close to the Shilo settlement. The incidents occurred in an area confiscated from Palestinian families to allow the expansion of a settlement. The man was reportedly hit by a teargas canister fired by Israeli soldiers. However, hospital sources speak also of poisoning by gas and beatings to the head and chest by soldiers with military helmets.

The Israeli Minister of Defense, Moshe Yaalon, expressed sorrow for the death of the Palestinian Minister; military leaders announced the opening of an investigation and propose the formation of a joint commission of inquiry with Palestine and Jordan. The leader of the Palestinian Authority, Abu Mazen, has described the attack as "barbaric" and awaits the results of the investigation to assess the "necessary steps" in response to the killing. The extremist Hamas movement has condemned the death of Ziad Abu Ein, and urges the PA to terminate all security agreements with Israel.

United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has also intervened calling on Israel "to conduct a swift and transparent investigation into  the circumstances that led to a brutal death." Jordan has condemned the killing, calling it "a crime" and highlighting "clear evidence of human rights violations by the Israeli army." US Secretary of State, John Kerry, will be in Rome on December 14 and will meet with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, with whom he will address the issue together with the "recent developments in Israel, the West Bank, Jerusalem and the region."

The chief diplomat of the European Union, Federica Mogherini, has invoked an immediate  investigation without hiding her concern for the "reports that document the use of excessive force on the part of Israeli Security Forces".

 

 

 

 

 

 

• israel
• palestine
• united
• states
• un
• eu
• war
• violence
• minister
• killed