Palestinian journalists wear Shireen Abu Akleh t-shirts during Biden's Bethlehem press conference
Palestinian journalists wear Shireen Abu Akleh t-shirts during Biden's Bethlehem press conference
Palestinians paid tribute to slain veteran journalist Shireen Abu Akleh during the press conference between US President Joe Biden and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem.
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An image of killed Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh is displayed in the press conference room ahead of a meeting between Joe Biden and Mahmoud Abbas [Getty]
Palestinian journalists confronted US President Joe Biden on Friday with t-shirts bearing Shireen Abu Akleh's image during his press conference with President Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem, occupied West Bank.
Journalists were pictured paying tribute to the Palestinian journalist shot dead by Israel with her portrait and the hashtag #JusticeForShireen imprinted on the t-shirts, as they waited for the meeting between the two leaders to start.
It comes as US President Joe Biden visits the occupied Palestinian Territories as part of his Middle East tour, following his visit to Israel and ahead of a trip to Saudi Arabia.
Biden and Abbas are expected to discus economic measures, such as the increasing of funds for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), aid packages to hospitals in the occupied East Jerusalem and plans to build infrastructure for 4g coverage across the West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip.
However, during Biden's Israel trip, Palestinians protested the US’ inaction on Abu Akleh's killing, including appearing to justify her murder during a forensics report.
Palestinians are also dismayed by Biden’s Israel visit due to the "unfair and biased US role of Israel against the Palestinian cause", as well as a lack of focus on humanitarian issues such as Abu Akleh's killing.
The family of Shireen Abu Akleh, an American citizen, also expressed anger over Biden's visit, who requested to meet him as part of his trip. It is understood that he rejected their demand, according to Al Jazeera.
The family intended to press him over the US’ conclusion of the probe into her killing, which stated that Abu Akleh was indeed killed by an Israeli bullet, but it was 'unlikely' they intended to kill her.
Palestinians, including the Abu Akleh family and witnesses, insist that the journalist was deliberately shot dead by a sniper two months ago.
Abu Akleh, a veteran Palestinian-American journalist, was killed on 11 May as she was covering Israeli raids on refugee camps in Jenin.
Her death during unanimous condemnation from journalists, human rights organisations and the Palestinian community, who called for a probe into her killing.
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