Special to WorldTribune.com

RAMALLAH — The Palestinian Authority has suspended security cooperation with Israel in wake of the death of a Cabinet minister during a clash in the West Bank.

Officials said the PA has been ordered to suspend security cooperation with the Israel Army after the death of Ziad Abu Ein. The 55-year-old Abu Ein was said to have collapsed in a clash with Israeli police during a protest march north of Ramallah on Dec. 10.

“The PA has decided to stop all forms of coordination with Israel following the intentional assassination of Fatah Revolutionary Council member and head of the Committee to Resist Settlements and the Wall, Ziyad, Abu Ein,” said Jibril Rajoub, a former PA security chief and deputy secretary of the Fatah Central Committee.

It was not clear whether Rajoub was speaking for the PA leadership. PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, also head of Fatah, said an investigation would first be launched into Abu Ein’s death.

“‘We will take all necessary measures after learning the results of the investigation of the death of the fighter and martyr, Abu Ein,” Abbas, who declared three days of mourning, said.

The Israel Army said 200 Palestinians, including Abu Ein, marched toward the Jewish community of Adei Ad. The army said soldiers and police fired tear gas and sound grenades to stop the Palestinian advance. In contrast, Palestinian sources said Abu Ein was attacked by three police officers, one of them who struck him in the chest.

The death of Abu Ein, a minister assigned to monitor Israeli construction in the West Bank, sparked a crisis that included the United States. Officials said senior members of the administration of President Barack Obama, including Secretary of State John Kerry, called both Abbas as well as Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to resolve the crisis. Kerry and Netanyahu were scheduled to meet in Rome on Dec. 14.

Officials said the army and police have been on alert for renewed violence in the West Bank. They said the army was deploying two battalions to secure major roads and Jewish communities in the area.

“We have proposed a joint investigation to the Palestinian Authority and that a joint autopsy be carried out on Abu Ein’s body,” Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said. “Security stability is important to both sides and we will continue coordination with the PA.”

  Palestinian Authority suspends security ties with Israel after official died during demonstration, WorldTribune.com