PA threatens to halt security coordination with Israel after death of minister

Abbas condemns death of Ziad Abu Ein as "barbaric assassination."

By JPOST.COM STAFF, KHALED ABU TOAMEH, TOVAH LAZAROFF
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the death of a Palestinian Authority minister who died shortly after clashes with Israeli troops, threatening to halt security coordination with Israel.
Ziad Abu Ein, a PA minister without portfolio, was rushed by ambulance from the village of Turmusiya after being hit and shoved by IDF soldiers during a protest on Wednesday, according to a Reuters photographer who witnessed the incident and a medic.
The man died en route to the nearby city of Ramallah. Israeli army sources believe his death was a result of a heart attack and said it was looking into the incident.
Abbas called the death of Abu Ein a "barbaric assassination'" that would not be tolerated.
Abbas promised to take all necessary action as soon as an investigation into the "brutal assault" was concluded. He also criticized the Israeli government for its prolonged aggression against the Palestinian people.
The Palestinian leader declared three days of mourning in the wake of the minister's death.
"Israel will pay for the killing of Abu Ein," said Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Maliki.
PLO Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erakat condemned Abu Ein's death and called on the international community to protect the Palestinians.

“A few months ago we requested international protection through the United Nations. The international community has the responsibility to protect a defenseless people under prolonged occupation from the crimes of an Israeli government full of settlers and extremists”

“The Israel government bares full responsibility for the killing of Minster Abu Ein and the systematic crimes committed against the Palestinian people. This new assassination will have severe consequences. The Palestinian leadership is currently weighing its response”. 

"This a clear example of how the culture of impunity granted to Israel by the International community permits it to continue in committing crimes against the Palestinian people," Erekat said.

According to the office of the PLO Negotiation Affairs Office, Abu Ein had participated in a non-violent demonstration to mark International Human Rights Day, that included the planting of olive trees. 
He had taken to his Facebook account Tuesday to call on fellow Palestinians "who love the land" to join together "tomorrow morning, on the international day for human rights, at Turmusiya to free Palestine."

Abu Ein was in charge of the Settlements and Annexation Wall portfolio and a prominent member of the Fatah Revolutionary Council, according to the PLO Negotiation Affairs Office.

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Reuters contributed to this report.