Autopsy Shows Palestinian-American Man Who Died After West Bank Detention Had Stress Heart Attack

An elderly Palestinian man with American citizenship who was found dead after he was detained by Israeli soldiers likely died from a stress-induced heart attack, according to official autopsy results released by the Palestinian Authority. Omar Abdalmajeed As’ad, 80,  was found dead early on January 12 in a village outside of Ramallah and was still wearing on one of his wrists the zip tie used to handcuff him. The autopsy conducted by Palestinian doctors said that As’ad’s death was caused by “stress-induced cardiac arrest due to external injuries.” His injuries included bruises and scrapes consistent with his having been bound and blindfolded while in the soldiers’ custody. According to the Israel Defense Forces, As’ad resisted inspection at a West Bank security checkpoint as he returned home from visiting friends and was detained for a brief time, and that he was alive at the time of his release.  As’ad had a history of cardiac and respiratory illness, according to his family. As’ad lived for much of his adult life in Milwaukee and moved back to the West Bank about a decade ago, The Washington Post reported, The IDF has opened an investigation into the incident. The United States has called for a “thorough” investigation.