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Mourners, some carrying Palestinian flags, were escorting the
coffin of Shireen Abu Akleh, a dual U.S. citizen, from the
convent-run Saint Joseph Hospital to the Greek-Melkite Cathedral
of the Annunciation of the Virgin when police charged.
Friday's incident, during which baton-wielding officers beat Abu
Akleh's pallbearers, was broadcast live globally and renewed the
anger at the reporter being shot dead during an Israeli military
raid in the occupied West Bank.
The police actions constituted an "invasion and disproportionate
use of force ... (and) a severe violation of international norms
and regulations, including the fundamental right of freedom of
religion", a hospital statement quoted the Christian Churches of
the Holy Land group as saying.
While blaming violence by "hundreds of rioters" for the
confrontation, police said they were investigating the incident.
Israel and the Palestinians remain at loggerheads over Abu
Akleh's shooting in Jenin on Wednesday.
The Palestinians accuse Israel of assassinating her and have
called for an international response. Israel has denied
targeting her, saying she may have been shot accidentally by a
soldier or a Palestinian gunman as they exchanged fire.
(Reporting by Mustafa Abu Ganeyeh; Editing by Alison Williams)
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