Journalists, diplomats, spiritual leaders, and officers together with Arab members of Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, attended the memorial procession on the Palestinian Authority President’s residence, which noticed Abu Akleh’s Palestinian-flag-draped coffin carried in as honor guards performed musical devices. Crowds that had gathered on the streets outdoors the residence had been heard chanting “the trustworthy voice by no means dies” and “we sacrifice our blood and spirit for you, Shireen.”
The memorial was attended by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who in a speech on the occasion rejected Israel’s provide for a joint investigation into Abu Akleh’s killing and vowed to take the case to the ICC.
“We rejected, and proceed to reject, the joint investigation with the Israeli occupation authorities as a result of they dedicated the crime and we don’t belief them,” mentioned Abbas, standing earlier than Abu Akleh’s coffin. “We will go instantly to the International Criminal Court to trace down the killers.”
Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohamed Shtayyeh mentioned the federal government will share findings of the investigation with the United States, Qatar and the ICC, including that it will likely be concluded “quickly” and can embody an post-mortem report.
The Palestinian-American was shot lifeless on Wednesday whereas reporting on Israeli army raids within the West Bank metropolis of Jenin. Akleh’s producer, Ali Al-Samudi, was additionally shot and is in secure situation, the Palestinian well being ministry mentioned.
Following the procession, Abu Akleh’s physique was dropped at St. Joseph hospital in East Jerusalem, the place journalists and associates stood outdoors, crying as they embraced each other. A crowd of supporters gathered outdoors the hospital, holding roses and chanting “God relaxation your soul, Shireen.”
As the ambulance carrying Abu Akleh drove in, dozens gathered to assist carry her coffin into the hospital, draped in roses and the Palestinian flag.
Mourners additionally laid flowers on the doorstep of Abu Akleh’s home within the Jerusalem neighborhood of Beit Hanina.
“Shireen is my daughter, her dad and mom died however we’re all her dad and mom,” mentioned 63-year-old Nafisa Khwais, who sat by Abu Akleh’s residence, “we’re all her household.”
“Silencing her won’t ever cease us from resisting and telling our story,” added Khwais.
Al Jazeera has accused Israeli safety forces of intentionally concentrating on and killing Abu Akleh, 51 — one of many Arab world’s most distinguished journalists. Her dying was met with regional and worldwide outrage and requires accountability.
The circumstances surrounding her dying are unclear. Three eyewitnesses instructed CNN that the journalists had been shot by Israeli troops and that there have been no Palestinian militants subsequent to the journalists on the time.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid proposed a joint Israeli-Palestinian investigation into the dying on Wednesday.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) mentioned its forces got here below heavy fireplace through the counterterrorism operation, and that they returned fireplace.
IDF International Spokesperson Amnon Shefler instructed CNN late on Wednesday that the Israelis “simply do not know but” who killed Abu Akhleh, in what gave the impression to be a softening of earlier statements by Israeli officers that mentioned she was “possible” shot by crossfire from Palestinian militants.
Her employer, Al Jazeera, referred to as her dying “a blatant homicide” by Israeli forces.
Abu Akleh’s funeral will happen on Friday within the Roman Catholic Church in Bab Al-Khalil, earlier than she is buried in Jerusalem’s Mount Zion Cemetery subsequent to her dad and mom.
CNN’s Celine Alkhaldi, Nadeen Ebrahim and Mostafa Salem in Abu Dhabi contributed to this report.