On International Human Rights Day, Israel kills Palestinian minister

As Palestinian Authority Minister Ziad Abu Ein, 55, marked International Human Rights Day by planting olive trees near Turmsayya, Israeli Occupation Forces deliberately deprived him of his right to life, enshrined in Article 3 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights. 

The American Muslims for Palestine, a national education and advocacy organization, today condemns the attack on Abu Ein and calls upon the US State Department to hold Israel accountable for this most egregious abuse of human rights. 

Israel’s killing of Abu Ein is another proof, in a never-ending line of evidence, that Israel does not want peace and that it’s racist, apartheid occupation policies are deadly for Palestinians. 

Abu Ein, the minister of the Separation Wall and Settlements Committee, was planting trees with other Palestinians near the village of Turmsayya, when Israeli Occupation Forces attacked the group with tear gas. Abu Ein reportedly inhaled an excessive amount of gas as Israeli soldiers beat him with their helmets. At least one soldier hit him in the chest and abdomen with the butt of his rifle, according to media reports. Abu Ein fell unconscious and died en route to the hospital. 

The tree planting was a protest against an Israeli outpost set up nearby that had taken control of the land and prevented it from being cultivated. It was almost meant to mark International Human Rights Day, which is being observed globally today.

The United Nations and European Union are calling for a transparent investigation into the killing. 

“When the simple act of planting trees is enough to incur deadly violence one has to look at the root of the problem, and that is the brutal Israeli occupation,” said Dr. Hatem Bazian, AMP chairman. “Killing peaceful protesters is just another way to try to sow fear and silence in Palestinian society. But, it is not working. Palestinians will not be quiet until the occupation ends.”

AMP calls upon US Secretary of State John Kerry to hold Israel accountable for this attack by demanding an independent investigation and then bringing the perpetrators to justice. AMP also calls on Congress to hold Israel accountable by withholding aid and other forms of support until Israel’s abides by international law.