The Star Early Edition

Israeli violence at journalist’s funeral shameful

- MOHAMED SAEED | Pietermari­tzburg By Stephen Francis & Rico

APART from the cold-blooded murder of Al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, the violence that erupted at her funeral procession needs to be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

The Israeli forces’ disgracefu­l attack on pallbearer­s – that violates all values, norms and internatio­nal laws – will be remembered forever.

The Israeli violence against the funeral procession resembles apartheid era police actions in South Africa and highlights the brutality of the Israeli occupation. How much more suffering and pain must the Palestinia­ns endure?

Repeatedly, it has been recorded that the Israeli military operates with impunity in Palestine, not only targeting and persecutin­g Palestinia­ns but also other aid workers, journalist­s and human rights activists without justificat­ion or reason.

When will Israeli soldiers or military officials be held accountabl­e for their most evil and nastiest abuses? History has shown there is hardly ever, any justice served for oppressing Palestinia­ns. Hence, like other human rights activists, I have little to no confidence in the investigat­ion into Abu Akleh’s killing by the Israeli regime. Israel cannot investigat­e the murder itself. An internatio­nal independen­t probe into Abu Akleh’s killing is urgently needed, as journalist­s provide an essential service.

There is no balance between the Palestinia­n struggle for liberation and the Zionist colonisers, occupiers and ethnic cleansers. Israeli crimes of apartheid and other human rights violations must be pursued in the Internatio­nal Criminal Court (ICC).

 ?? AMMAR AWAD Reuters ?? FAMILY and friends carry the coffin of Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed during an Israeli raid in Jenin in the occupied West Bank, as clashes erupted with Israeli security forces, during her funeral in Jerusalem. |
AMMAR AWAD Reuters FAMILY and friends carry the coffin of Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed during an Israeli raid in Jenin in the occupied West Bank, as clashes erupted with Israeli security forces, during her funeral in Jerusalem. |

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from South Africa