Shireen Abu Akleh: Tributes paid to slain Palestinian journalist in vigil outside BBC headquarters

Shireen Abu Akleh: Tributes paid to slain Palestinian journalist in vigil outside BBC headquarters
Mourners gathered for a vigil held outside the BBC's headquarters in London to remember iconic Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed by Israeli forces on Wednesday.
2 min read
12 May, 2022
Members of the public, including journalists, attend a vigil for Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh at the BBC's headquarters in London [Source: The New Arab]

Mourners gathered outside the BBC's headquarters in London on Thursday to commemorate the death of Shireen Abu Akleh, the trailblazing Palestinian Al Jazeera journalist who was killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank.

The vigil took place in the UK capital from 5.30pm, with dozens attending, including journalists.

Abu Akleh was shot in the head while covering Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin on Wednesday.

People paying tribute to Shireen Abu Akleh at the BBC headquarters in London on Thursday
People paying tribute to slain Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh on display at the BBC headquarters in London on Thursday [Source: The New Arab]

Posters and banners displaying Abu Akleh’s face were held. Some read: "Our demand for freedom will never be silenced. Justice for our martyred journalist."

Several mourners wore the keffiyeh, the black and white scarf - a symbol of Palestinian identity or a marker of solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

Palestinian national flags were also on display outside of Broadcasting House, while some were waved by attendees.

Conservative MP and former Foreign Affairs Select Committee chairman Crispin Blunt gave a speech at Abu Akleh’s vigil.

Crispin Blunt speaking at Shireen Abu Akleh vigil outside the BBC headquarters on Thursday
Conservative MP Crispin Blunt speaking at the Shireen Abu Akleh vigil at the BBC headquarters in London on Thursday [Source: The New Arab]

Blunt, who represents the Reigate constituency in the UK parliament, has previously criticised Israel for being "in gross breach of the fourth Geneva convention ever since the occupation of the [Palestinian] territories in 1967", with regards to Israeli settlements and occupation.

Journalists worldwide have taken to social media to pay their respects to Abu Akleh following her killing, calling it a "dark day for journalism". Tributes continue to pour in.

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Akleh, who is hailed as an icon of Arab journalism, worked for the pan-Arab Al Jazeera network since 1997 and covered major Palestinian events, including the Second Intifada.

She was laid to rest in Jerusalem on Friday, but not after mourners were attacked by Israeli forces.