Al-Quds Bishop condemns IOF raid on Abu Akleh's funeral
Al Jazeera journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh, was not only murdered by the IOF, but she was also denied a proper funeral through their brutal attack.
The Catholic Archbishop in Al-Quds on Monday strongly criticized the Israeli occupation forces' raid on a Christian hospital ahead of the funeral of slain Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh.
In a vividly heartfelt scene, crowds welcome the coffin of martyr #ShireenAbuAkleh with chants and cheers showcasing the strength of the #Palestinian people in spite of colonial aggression.#Palestine #شيرين_ابو_عاقلة pic.twitter.com/dTcJC2bxCl
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 13, 2022
During an Israeli army raid on the occupied West Bank, the veteran journalist was shot dead in cold blood as a bullet directly targeted her straight in the head.
Anger over her death was heightened Friday when the IOF attacked and beat the pallbearers carrying Abu Akleh's coffin, which was draped in a Palestinian flag in occupied Al-Quds.
Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Al-Quds, condemned on Monday the IOF's invasion and violence, targeting the St Joseph's hospital, where her body was being held.
Watch | The Israeli occupation brutally assaults the crowds at #ShireenAbuAkleh's funeral.#Palestine pic.twitter.com/TKTfwgLBLk
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 13, 2022
At a press conference at the hospital, he accused the IOF of attacking mourners, striking them with batons, using smoke grenades, and shooting rubber-coated metal bullets.
The IOF stormed the hospital going after the coffin of martyr #ShireenAbuAkleh, in a sickening violation of all international laws and human rights. pic.twitter.com/7NkobCzfxx
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 13, 2022
"The police stormed into a Christian health institute, disrespecting the church, disrespecting the health institute, disrespecting the memory of the deceased, and forcing the pallbearers to almost drop the coffin," said Pizzaballa, speaking on behalf of the bishops of the Holy Land.
Watch | the IOF violently assaults the car transporting #ShireenAbuAkleh's coffin and brutally attacks #AlMayadeen's crew.#Palestine pic.twitter.com/EhsPABcTNM
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 13, 2022
Read next: UN urges 'Israel' to protect freedom of assembly after funeral attack
Last week, the Palestinian Ministry of Health announced the murder of Al Jazeera journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh, whom the Israeli occupation forces shot in the head with a live bullet. The Israeli occupation aggressed against Jenin refugee camp, north West Bank, at a time when journalists covered the storming of the camp.
Abu Akleh, according to the Ministry, was hit by a live bullet before being rushed to the hospital in critical condition, where she was pronounced dead.