Regarding the reported death of PA (Palestinian Authority) Minister of Prisoner Affairs Zaid Abu Ein hours following a protest in Shomron, Israel announces it is probing the matter. PA Chairman Abu Mazen does not miss a beat and he is using this latest incident to put Israel on the defensive, which he has succeeded in doing once again. He insists that the border police who struck the PA minister is responsible for his death. An Israeli pathologist took part in the autopsy, albeit in an observer capacity only.
After reviewing the video footage from the scene, Israel’s initial statement that Abu Ein died of heart failure appears more likely. It is known that he suffered from hypertension and had a cardiac history. It is also unclear if he fell or was pushed to the ground. Nevertheless, Abu Mazen has declared a three-day mourning period to maximize the impact of the minister’s death. Au Mazen has also officially given him the Shahid hero designation following his death as is the PA custom for fallen terrorists.
Autopsy Results:
Following the autopsy, PA officials announced the victim died of bruises and inhalation of teargas. While video footage clearly shows an IDF paramedic trying to treat the minister, the autopsy reveals the lack of medical care contributed to his death.
The Israeli pathologist who observed the procedure states the death was caused by a stress-induced heart attack.
Official Government Statement following the autopsy:
The autopsy was carried out at the forensics institute in Abu Dis. Participating in the autopsy were Dr. Chen Kugel and Dr. Maya Furman from the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, as well as representatives from the Palestinian forensics institute and doctors from Jordan.
The death of Ziad Abu Ein was caused by a blockage of the coronary artery due to hemorrhaging underneath a layer of atherosclerotic plaque. The bleeding could have been caused by stress.
Indications of light hemorrhaging and localized pressure were found in his neck.
The deceased suffered from ischemic heart disease; blood vessels in his heart were found to be over 80% blocked by plaque. Old scars indicating that he suffered from previous myocardial infarctions were also found.
The poor condition of the deceased’s heart caused him to be more sensitive to stress.
It is necessary to wait for the medical treatment report before determining more incisive explanations on this matter.
Indications of CPR were found.
These preliminary findings will require verification after the results of the investigation and lab results are received.
Abu Ein’s History:
Abu Ein is well known to Israel. He too served time in the Israeli prison system after murdering two Israeli youths in Tiveria in the 1970s. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1982 for the 1979 bombing in Tiveria that killed the teens.
Jibril Prisoner Agreement:
The release of terrorists took place on May 21, 1985 between Israel, headed then by Shimon Peres, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
As part of the agreement, Israel released 1,150 terrorists in exchange for three Israeli prisoners (Yosef Grof, Nissim Salem, Chezi Shai) captured during the First Lebanon War. This was one of several prisoner exchange agreements carried out between Israel and groups it classified as terrorist organizations around that time. Among the prisoners released by Israel were Kozo Okamoto – one of the perpetrators of the Lod Airport Massacre who had been sentenced to life imprisonment, and Ahmed Yassin—a Gazan Muslim Brotherhood leader (and later spiritual leader of Hamas)—who was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment in 1983.
Some responses from Wednesday, prior to the autopsy:
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu sent a message through his personal emissary attorney Isaac Molcho to the PA (Palestinian Authority) Chairman Abu Mazen assuring him Israel will investigate the incident that took place near Ramallah. The Prime Minister, who has been holding security consultations throughout the day, pointed to the need to calm the situation and act responsibly.
Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon added “The event in which Ziad Abu Ein died is under investigation by the IDF. We express sorrow over his death. We have proposed a joint investigation to the Palestinian Authority and that a joint autopsy be carried out on Abu Ein’s body. Security stability is important to both sides and we will continue coordination with the PA.”
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
4 Responses
1. It is an interesting question if police brutality (which is common almost everywhere when those functioning as police deal with those who breaking the peace) can be blamed if it contributes to a heart attack of a person who probably wouldn’t be having a heart attack if they were at home do something unstressful.
2. Facts generally don’t hamper propaganda machines, so the answer to above question is irrelevant.
3. Since the Israelis wish to live at peace with the Arabs, they should be going out of their way at being nice and polite, and not let play into the Palestinians hands by letting themselves be provoked into being angry.
Why did Yaalon lie and say he expressed sorrow at his death. Of coarse he was happy as we all are and should be. They should all get heart attacks and die starting with Abbas on down
The guy with a heart problem is yelling like a raving lunatic. Not only did he plant bombs that killed Jews, his heart was a ticking time bomb. Too bad it waited so long to explode.
Any surprise that the Arabs don’t want to accept fact? The autopsy on the bus driver who committed suicide wasn’t accepted even though an Arab conducted it. He said it was a suicide, but days later, probably under threat, changed his story.
They use any opportunity to stir up trouble. The truth is irrelevant.
Too bad that he died of a heart attack and not killed much much earlier by our hands. All these evil wild beasts should have been killed a long time ago. Shame on us.