JERUSALEM, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land condemned the recent Israeli army killing of iconic Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
Bishop Sani-Ibrahim Azar issued a press statement expressing “deep heartbreak and devastation at the murder of the cherished Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh,” while adding that “Shireen’s voice proclaimed the truth about the occupation, persecution, and oppression of the Palestinian people that is so often suppressed by Western media and perceptions.”
Abu Akleh was killed by an Israeli military gunshot to the head on the morning of Wednesday, May 11, while reporting from Jenin.
Azar also decried the Israeli police crackdown and violent intrusion on the funeral procession of the slain Al Jazeera journalist on Friday in Jerusalem.
“In the wake of her death, the reception of her mourning and funeral by Israeli occupation forces was cruel and unacceptable. A day of grieving that was meant to be a peaceful last goodbye from the Palestinian people to Shireen was stained with disgracing her body, attacking those in mourning, and an overall show of disrespect and brutality.”
The Evangelical Lutheran Church hierarch commended the Palestinian people for their solidarity with the slain Christian journalist.
“While the persecution shown during Shireen’s funeral will not leave our memory, the outpour of unity, solidarity, and love shown for Shireen and for the Palestinian people shines most prominently. Last week was nothing short of historical in the number of people who came to mourn the loss of Shireen and prove the steadfast presence of Palestinians and our ability to come together in times of devastation.”
“The sea of Palestinians present to grieve the woman who told their untold story was not divided by Muslim and Christian but was one body in grief together, and in prayer for a future of justice and peace.”
He called upon the church’s international partners, who “hold a lot of influence on our global audience”, to “be the expression of justice, condemning the murder of Shireen and the outright dishonor of her funeral to those who look to you to discern integrity.”
Source: Palestine News & Info Agency