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Israel's Health Ministry to probe violence at Al Jazeera journalist's funeral

Police clashed with mourners as Shireen Abu Akleh's funeral procession left a Palestinian-run hospital, with police striking pallbearers with batons

May 24, 2022 17:05
Shireen Abu Akleh 1
1 min read

Israel's Health Ministry has ordered a review into the policing at an East Jerusalem hospital as the funeral procession of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was starting.

Earlier this month, clashes broke out between police and mourners outside Palestinian-run St Joseph's hospital, with officers seen striking the pallbearers with batons, nearly causing the coffin to fall to the ground.

Israeli Police say that they were forced to intervene after rocks were thrown at officers, and also claim that some Palestinians damaged the funeral procession car, "even trying to prevent it from driving once the coffin was inside".

The incident prompted global outrage and widespread criticism, with a statement released by the heads of Jerusalem's Christian community criticising police actions.