Israeli security forces resort to violence at the funeral of an Al Jazeera reporter

The journalist’s funeral took place in a Christian church in the old town. Israeli police said they were trying to organize a “compassionate” funeral. “Unfortunately, hundreds of people tried to disrupt public order before they even started,” a spokesman told The Times of Israel.

This start was the hospital where the regiment wanted to march to the church with the coffin. “While the coffin was being removed from the hospital, rocks were thrown at the officers and they had to intervene,” police said. Palestinian nationalist chants were also reportedly heard. Six people were arrested.

Israeli police later allowed the family to drive the coffin to the church. Tear gas was sprayed on the demonstrators who were in hospital, according to the AP news agency.

After the church service, another group of thousands formed and moved Abu Akleh’s coffin to a nearby cemetery. A small crowd in the cemetery said goodbye to the journalist. People laid flowers and wreaths on the coffin and short speeches were given.

No joint investigation

Abu Akleh was shot dead on Wednesday in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin. Eyewitnesses and his employer, Al Jazeera, say Israeli soldiers targeted him. Israel said he had been shot and did not know whether he was shot by Israeli soldiers or by Palestinians.

Israel wants a joint investigation with the Palestinian Authority into the death of the journalist. He also wants to examine the bullet that hit him to determine who it came from. However, the Palestinian Authority refuses to cooperate with Israel. It conducts its own investigation and forwards the results to the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Israel does not recognize the authority of the ICC.