The Catholic Church’s top official in Jerusalem has condemned Israeli police for their violent attack on last Friday’s funeral for Shireen Abu Akleh. The veteran Al Jazeera journalist was killed last week covering an Israeli raid in the West Bank, in an attack that Palestinians and Al Jazeera blame on Israeli military snipers. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa said on Monday that Israel’s attack on Abu Akleh’s funeral was a severe violation of international norms and regulations.

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa: “The police stormed into a Christian health institute, disrespecting the church, disrespecting the health institute, disrespecting the memory of the deceased and forcing the pallbearers almost to drop the coffin. Israel’s police invasion and disproportionate use of force, attacking mourners, striking them with batons, using smoke grenades, shooting rubber bullets, frightening the hospital patients, is a severe violation of international norms and regulations.”