PA all talk, no action on Abu Ein’s death
The PA’s tough statements in the aftermath of Ziad Abu Ein’s death appear nothing more than hot air, as it has refused to follow through with its threats to cut security coordination with Israel or accelerate steps to join international conventions.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinian leadership has avoided making important decisions in response to the death of Palestinian minister and Anti-Wall and Settlement Commission head Ziad Abu Ein on Dec. 10, despite talk of possibly suspending security coordination and joining international conventions.
Muhammed Madani, a member of Fatah’s Central Committee, told Al-Monitor that the leadership met on Dec. 14 to discuss possible responses and called for an international commission of inquiry into what caused the death of Abu Ein as well as for the establishment of a specialized international tribunal, and the development of all forms of popular resistance against the Israeli occupation.
While Palestinians were expecting official responses to Abu Ein’s death, such as the suspension of the PA’s security coordination with Israel, or Palestine’s accession to the International Criminal Court and its signature of the Rome Statute, none of this has occurred.
A Palestinian official who attended the leadership meeting told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity: “In fact no decision was taken. These matters were not discussed during the meeting. The only resolution that was taken was to go to the Security Council.” He added, “There is reluctance in taking decisions, so as not to upset the Americans.”
