Turkey condemns Israel over death of Palestinian minister

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

An Israeli border guard grabs Palestinian official Ziad Abu Ein (L), in charge of the issue of Israeli settlements for the Palestinian Authority, during a demonstration in the village of Turmus Aya near Ramallah, on Dec. 10. AFP Photo / Abbas Momani

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned Israeli actions that led to the death of Palestinian minister Ziad Abu Ein on Dec. 10, reiterating Turkey's support for the Palestinians against "inhuman and outrageous actions."
      
"I deplore and condemn this despicable Israeli act," Erdoğan said in an online statement from the official website of presidency on Dec. 10.
      
Erdoğan also sent his condolences to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Abu Ein, who was in charge of the issue of Israeli settlements for the Palestinian Authority, died after being struck in a confrontation with Israeli forces during a protest march in the West Bank.
     
A former PA deputy minister, Abu Ein, 55, was the most senior Palestinian official to die in a confrontation with Israeli forces in recent years.
  
"This incident which took the Abu Ein's life is the latest example of Israel's attitude against the Palestinian people, based on violence, occupation and destruction," Erdoğan's statement also said.
      
"Turkey will continue to fight against Israel's inhuman and outrageous actions alongside the Muslim world and other members of the international community," it added.

Abbas has denounced the Israeli army's "brutal attack" and declared three days of mourning over the incident.