Jerusalem archbishop condemns police raid at journalist’s funeral
The Catholic archbishop in Jerusalem has strongly criticized Israel’s “police invasion” last week of a Christian hospital ahead of the funeral of slain Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh.
The veteran journalist was shot dead during an Israeli army raid in the West Bank. Palestinians and the TV network said Israeli troops killed her, while Israel said Palestinian gunfire may be to blame.
Anger over her death was compounded Friday when batonwielding Israeli police in annexed East Jerusalem beat pallbearers carrying Abu Akleh’s coffin which was covered by a Palestinian flag.
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, on Monday condemned “Israel’s police invasion and disproportionate use of force” at St.
Joseph’s hospital, where her body was being held.
At a press conference at the hospital, he criticized Israeli police for “attacking mourners, striking them with batons, using smoke grenades (and) shooting rubber bullets.”
Police had stormed the hospital, “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.
The hospital is owned by the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition, a French-founded congregation that has been present in former Palestine and Israel for nearly 200 years.
Israeli police have vowed to investigate the chaotic incident, which was broadcast live worldwide and sparked widespread condemnation including from the US, EU
and UN.