A Catholic mass has been held in reminiscence of the Palestinian-American Al Jazeera journalist, who was killed by Israeli forces in Could.
The household of the veteran Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh has been acquired by Pope Francis on the Vatican, almost six months after she was shot useless by Israeli forces whereas masking a military raid within the Jenin refugee camp within the occupied West Financial institution.
On Wednesday Shireen’s brother Tony, his spouse and two daughters have been amongst a bunch of visitors attending a basic viewers in Vatican Metropolis, a weekly appointment by which the pontiff greets pilgrims. Al Jazeera’s Stefanie Dekker, reporting from Rome, described the transient assembly.
“Tony held out an image of Shireen that [the pope] blessed and moved previous the household… in fact [it’s] vital and symbolic for a Catholic household,” Dekker stated, including that the household “had anticipated to have a bit extra time with the pope”.
A memorial mass was held at 5pm native time (15:00 GMT) on the Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin in Rome in honour of the slain Palestinian American reporter.
Abu Akleh, who labored for Al Jazeera for 25 years and was extensively referred to as the “voice of Palestine”, was sporting a flak jacket and helmet that clearly recognized her as a member of the press when she was shot within the head by Israeli forces on Could 11.
Al Jazeera producer Ali al-Samoudi, who was standing close to her together with a bunch of Palestinian journalists, was additionally shot within the again however recovered.
Israel initially stated that Abu Akleh had been caught in crossfire, earlier than backtracking. In September, an Israeli navy report concluded that whereas Abu Akleh had probably been hit by Israeli forces, there could be no felony investigation.
Abu Akleh’s household lately met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and has filed an official grievance to the Worldwide Felony Court docket (ICC) to demand justice for her demise.
Abu Akleh’s niece Lina, who has turn into the face of her household’s international marketing campaign for justice, informed Dekker that whereas they appreciated the phrases of condolences and help, what they actually needed was accountability.
“If we are able to’t get justice for Shireen, who was somebody so well-known and an American passport holder, then what likelihood is there for different Palestinians?”, the reporter quoted her as saying.
Lina Abu Akleh had introduced the assembly with the pinnacle of the Catholic Church in a tweet on Tuesday: “My household and I are on our technique to the Vatican on the invitation of Pope Francis … for a gathering about my aunt Shireen Abu Akleh and our household’s push for justice.
“Individuals of conscience all over the world proceed to echo our requires accountability and #JusticeForShireen,” she stated.
Post a Comment