Boris Johnson ‘appalled’ by death of Al Jazeera journalist
Prime Minister's spokesperson says it is for police authorities to answer questions 'in the first instance' over scenes at the funeral of Shireen Abu Akleh
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Boris Johnson has been left “appalled” by the death of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh and by the “distressing scenes” which accompanied her funeral.
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson added “his thoughts are with her friends and family” and said no journalist she face the risk of losing their life “because of what they are seeking to report.”
But asked if the PM supported an independent inquiry into the reporter’s death in the West Bank last Thursday, the spokesperson told journalists that this “would be an issue for local authorities to decide.”
Johnson’s spokesman was also asked about the PM’s response to the Israeli police “attack on the funeral, especially of those who are carrying the body of the journalist.”
He responded: “Obviously these are distressing scenes for anyone to watch and I think it is for the police authorities to answer in the first instance.”
The PM’s response came ahead of an urgent question in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon tabled by Labour’s shadow Middle East minister Bambos Charalambous.
He was set to ask Foreign Secretary Liz Truss “if she will make a statement on the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
