ZUJ condemns killing of Palestine journalist
MEDIA organisations in Zimbabwe yesterday joined the rest of the world in condemning the shooting to death of Palestinian journalist Sherin Abu Akleh by Israeli security forces while reporting for Al Jazeera on an Israeli operation in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin.
The Zimbabwe National Editors Forum (ZINEF) and the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) yesterday condemned the killing of the journalist at work.
There is global condemnation of the coldblooded killing of Ms Abu Akleh (51), with many describing it as an “assassination”.
She was shot in the head while her counterpart, Al Jazeera producer, Ali Al-Sammoudi was shot in the back and was in a stable condition in hospital late yesterday.
Palestine Ambassador to Zimbabwe Tamer Almassri condemned “these heinous crimes against journalists”, saying it was a “systematic Israeli attempt to silence the voice of truth and cover up the crimes of its occupation against their people and to isolate them from the rest of the world”.
In a statement yesterday ZUJ said they support the international calls for thorough investigations into the matter so that perpetrators of such atrocious acts were brought to account.
ZINEF said Israel should be held accountable for killing the journalist. “It is sad when a journalist is killed during the course of her/his work. Israel should be held accountable for its actions,’’ said ZINEF in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Palestine Solidarity Council (ZPSC) has also condemned the brutal killing of Ms Abu Akleh and the near fatal shooting of her producer Mr Al-Sammoudi. ZPSC secretary for information and publicity Ms Tipei Lorata Dube said the shootings were conducted despite the jour
Sherin Abu Akleh nalists wearing blue vests and helmets clearly marked ‘Press’.
“Ms Abu Akleh was a respected journalist with a career spanning more than 20 years. The continued assault of Palestinian journalists and civilians by Israeli occupation forces is a flagrant disregard of human life, showcases the brutal implementation of an apartheid policy against the people of Palestine and disrespect for international law by Israeli armed forces.
“Claims by Israeli administration that the shooting was conducted by ‘Palestinians’ is both frivolous and nefarious and signifies a pathetic attempt to smokescreen atrocities committed by the Israeli forces against the citizens of Palestine.” Ms Dube implored the world to raise its voice and expose the apartheid policy induced atrocities enforced by Israeli forces. We wish Mr Ali Al-Sammoudi a speedy recovery. As we grieve the brutal demise of Ms Abu Akleh, we express our grief and heartfelt condolences to the family of Ms Abu Akleh, the people of Palestine and the Al Jazeera organisation. May her soul rest in eternal peace,” she said.