Palestinians mourn slain minister

Thousands of Palestinians have gathered to mourn a senior official who died in a confrontation with Israeli troops, as the army sent reinforcements to the occupied West Bank and braced for unrest.
Palestinian officials accused Israel of being responsible for the death of minister Ziad Abu Ein, who died shortly after an Israeli border policeman shoved and grabbed him by the throat during a protest north of Ramallah in the West Bank.
On Thursday, thousands of Palestinians gathered to mourn Abu Ein, whose body was laid to rest at El Bireh’s cemetery in the West Bank. A funeral procession, carrying the father of four, first made a stop at the Muqata – the presidential compound – for prayers.
Palestinian flags were flown at half-mast, and Quranic verses boomed from speakers. Hundreds of people converged on the Muqata, carrying yellow Fatah banners and pictures of Abu Ein.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also took part in the procession.