EU 'appalled' by 'unnecessary force' of Israel police at funeral

The EU said it was "appalled" by the "unnecessary force" used by Israeli police at a Jerusalem hospital ahead of the funeral of slain Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.

"EU and likeminded partners attended the funeral of Shireen Abu Akleh in occupied east Jerusalem. Appalled by the violence in the St Joseph Hospital compound and the level of unnecessary force exercised by Israeli police throughout the funeral procession," the EU said in a tweet.

The 51-year-old veteran Al Jazeera reporter was killed by Israeli forces while covering a raid on the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday.

Israeli police charged at and brutally assaulted pallbearers carrying Abu Akleh's casket on Friday as they carried her body from the hospital in occupied East Jerusalem where it was being kept, in harrowing scenes broadcast live.

Officers fired tear gas and stun grenades, kicked, and beat Palestinians with batons, as they attempted to snatch national flags away. The assault almost caused the coffin to be dropped to the floor.