Note to correspondents on the funeral of Shireen Abu Akleh 

 In response to questions asked at the Briefing, the Secretary-General followed today with great sadness the funeral of Palestinian-American journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh, in occupied East Jerusalem. 

 The Secretary-General was moved by the outpouring of sympathy from the thousands of Palestinian mourners over the past two days, a testament to Ms. Abu Akleh’s work and life.

 He was deeply disturbed by the confrontations between Israeli security forces and Palestinians gathered at St. Joseph Hospital, and the behavior of some police present at the scene.  He continues to urge respect for fundamental human rights, including the rights to freedom of opinion and expression and to peaceful assembly. 

Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General 

New York, 13 May 2022