The body of slain Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was carried to the headquarters of the Palestinian Authority (PA) presidency in Ramallah on Thursday morning for a full state memorial, before it arrived in her birthplace in Jerusalem.
The veteran reporter was fatally shot in the head by Israeli troops early on Wednesday while she was covering an army raid in the city of Jenin.
In a speech during the ceremony, Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas said that Israeli authorities were “fully responsible” for the killing. We rejected the joint investigation with the Israeli occupation authorities because they committed the crime and because we don’t trust them,” Abbas said during the ceremony.
He added that the PA “will go immediately to the International Criminal Court in order to track down the criminals”.
Palestinians held a memorial service in the West Bank’s city of Ramallah for journalist Shireen Abu Akleh who was killed while covering an Israeli raid in the West Bank, but have rejected US-led calls for a joint investigation into her death. pic.twitter.com/DYkxKYP7Dx
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) May 12, 2022
Earlier, Abu Akleh’s body was carried from the Istishari Arab Hospital to the Muqataa – a compound housing government buildings – where national figures and politicians attended the memorial.
As Abu Akleh’s coffin was taken out of the presidential compound to the drumbeat of a marching band, crowds chanted slogans demanding an end to Palestinian security co-operation with Israel.
Hundreds of people gathered to say their final goodbyes after Abu Akleh’s body’s arrived in her hometown of Jerusalem, where she will be laid to rest in Mount Zion Cemetery in the Old City on Friday, beside the graves of her parents.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces intercepted the procession while it was passing through the Qalandia military checkpoint north of Jerusalem. Israeli soldiers stopped the procession and detained the senior Fatah official Shadi Mutwer.
When the coffin arrived at the Farnsawy Hospital in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem in the afternoon, hundreds gathered to bid farewell to Abu Akleh, raising Palestinian flags. Israeli forces stormed the hospital and confiscated some flags, before the mourners forced them out.
Source: IOL
In other news – Actress Connie Chiume opens up about being suicidal – VIDEO
South African actress Connie Chiume – who plays the character of MamSonto in Gomora revealed that she almost took her own life 20 years ago at Siyabonga Zubane’s memorial service on Thursday.
Zubane’s memorial service was held at the Joburg Theatre on Thursday (12 May) afternoon. Learn more
