Palestinian minister dies after skirmish with Israeli police
On Wednesday, a Palestinian cabinet member died after clashing with Israeli police and troops during a march to an unauthorized Israeli settlement.
Ziad Abu Ain was one of several dozen Palestinians who left the West Bank village of Turmus Aya for Adei-Ad, The Associated Press reports. The plan was to plant olive tree saplings on the land of a villager who said troops refused to let him go to his property because it could cause friction with settlers. Witnesses say the protesters were blocked by police and soldiers, who also fired tear gas and stun grenades. At one point, witnesses say, an officer grabbed Abu Ain by the throat and pushed him. He later died on the way to the hospital.
An autopsy has yet to determine what killed Abu Ain, but Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is calling what happened to him a "clear crime" and "barbaric act." Palestinians are drawing parallels to the death of Eric Garner in New York, and sharing a photo of Abu Ain and the officer online using #ICantBreathe. Activist Mahmoud Hreidat told AP he hoped using the hashtag would bring attention to Abu Ain's death. "What is happening here is no different from the discrimination against blacks in America," he said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
The Christmas quiz 2024
From the magazine Test your grasp of current affairs and general knowledge with our quiz
By The Week UK Published
-
People of the year 2024
In the Spotlight Remember the people who hit the headlines this year?
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: December 25, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Mossad's history with explosive technology
The Explainer Infamous Israeli spy agency has not claimed responsibility for Hezbollah's exploding pagers but has 'decades-long' list of remote assassinations
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Hamas and Hezbollah strikes: what does it mean for Israel?
Today's Big Question Iran vows revenge for death of Hamas political leader in Tehran, hours after Israeli strike kills top Hezbollah member in Beirut
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel says Gaza split in two in 'significant stage' of war against Hamas
Speed Read Troops expected to enter Gaza City within 48 hours as US secretary of state continues 'diplomatic shuttle'
By The Week UK Published
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
By The Week UK Published
-
How trustworthy are the Gaza Health Ministry's casualty numbers?
The Explainer President Biden and other observers of the Israel-Hamas war are skeptical of the Hamas-run ministry's death toll. But those doubts may be unwarranted.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published