Secretary-General Deeply Saddened by Death of Palestinian Minister after Clash with Israeli Security Forces, Calls for Swift, Transparent Investigation

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the death of Palestinian Minister Ziad Abu Ein, after a demonstration in the village of Turmus Ayya that resulted in a confrontation with Israeli security forces.  He expresses his condolences to the family of Minister Abu Ein, the Palestinian people and the Government of National Consensus.

The Secretary-General calls on the Israeli authorities to conduct a swift and transparent investigation into the circumstances of the brutal death of Minister Abu Ein.  He also calls on all sides to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation.