Israel defense chief shows “sorrow” for death of Palestinian minister

JERUSALEM, Dec. 11 (NsNewsWire) — Israel’s Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon expressed Wednesday “sorrow” for the death of Palestinian Minister Ziad Abu Ein in a West Bank protest.

Palestinian Minister of Settlement Ziad Abu Ein died earlier Wednesday in a hospital in Ramallah after being assaulted by Israeli soldiers who were dispersing an anti-settlement rally in the village of Termos Meya near Ramallah, reports Xinhua.

“We express sorrow over his death,” Yaalon said in statement, noting that Israel has proposed a joint investigation to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).

Later in the day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he conveyed a message via his personal emissary, attorney Isaac Molcho to the PNA, pledging to investigate the incident.

A statement by the Prime Minister’s Office said Netanyahu has been holding “security consultations” throughout the day and noted “the need to calm the situation and act responsibly.”

The cause of Abu Ein’s death was still unclear and his body will undergo autopsy by a team of Palestinian, Jordanian and Israeli pathologists.