Holy Land: Churches condemn attack on funeral of slain journalist

This morning's press conference - Screenshot

The following statement was issued at a press conference this morning at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Jerusalem:

'We, the Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Bishops and the faithful of the Christian Churches in the Holy Land, hereby condemn the violent intrusion of the Israeli Police into a funeral procession of the slain journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, as it was going from Saint Joseph Hospital to the Greek-Melkite Cathedral Church.

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 almost to drop the coffin.

Israeli Police's invasion and disproportionate use of force, attacking mourners, striking them with batons, using smoke grenades, shooting rubber bullets, frightening the hospital's patients, is a severe violation of international norms and regulations, including the fundamental human right of freedom of religion, which must be observed also in a public space.

The St Joseph Hospital has always proudly been a place of encounter and healing for all, regardless of their religious or cultural belonging, and it intends to continue to be so. What happened last Friday deeply wounded not only the Christian community, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition, owner of the Hospital, and all the hospital staff, but also all peoples who in that place have found and still find peace and hospitality.

The Sisters and the staff of St Joseph Hospital will keep their commitment to be a place of healing.

The tragic episode of last Friday makes this commitment even stronger than ever.'

Tony Abu Akleh, the brother of the deceased journalist, told CNN that the action of police - who asked him to provide detailed plans of the funeral procession ahead of the day - was "unacceptable and unjustifiable".

Mr Abu Akleh said: "They could have easily blocked the road if they didn't want to see the funeral leave the hospital but the attack was intentional and brutal."

LINKS

Watch: Israeli police attack funeral procession at St Joseph's Hospital: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqrquyBDAxI

BBC report: www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-61463886