British MPs outraged over the killing of and desecration of Palestinian journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh's funeral

On 16 May 2022, an Urgent Question was secured on the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh which happened on 11 May 2022 and the subsequent desecration and attacks on her funeral held on 13 May 2022. Many British Parliamentarians from all major UK political parties spoke of their outrage and distress, and were appalled by not only Shireen's killing in Jenin, but also the Israeli police violence at her funeral, and the raids and confiscation of Palestinian flags at her home. Parliamentarians spoke about attacks on Palestinian journalists and Palestinians more widely, as some of the daily realities of living under a brutal military occupation. There were numerous demands that the Israeli Ambassador be summoned into the Foreign Office. 

The Urgent Questions was secured by Labour's Shadow Middle East Minister, Bambos Charalambous MP. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Minister, Vicky Ford MP responded. The Urgent Question can be read in full here and watched here beginning at 15:34:47.

Below is a selection of contributions from parliamentarians. 

In opening the debate, the Labour Party's Shadow Middle East Minister, Bambos Charalambous, called for an independent investigation, and spoke of the "indefensible" Israeli police violence at her funeral:

The SNP's spokesperson Brendan O'Hara MP called for the Independent Criminal Court (ICC) to carry out an investigation into her killing: 

Caabu Chair Rt Hon David Jones MP spoke about the "deplorable scenes" at her funeral: 

Co-Chair of the Britain-Palestine All Party Parliamentary Group, Julie Elliott MP called for an independent investigation into thr killing of Shireen Abu Akleh: 


Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Layla Moran MP, called for the summoning of the Israeli Ambassador to the UK: 

Labour MP Andy McDonald, said that the desecration of Shireen Abu Akleh's funeral was evidence of the crime of apartheid:

Labour MP Nadia Whittome spoke about the realities for Palestinians living under occupation, citing Amnesty International's report on apartheid, demanding that the UK ends its complicity in the occupation of Palestine: 

Labour MP Andy Slaughter asked what  single step the Government has taken to oppose the occupation of Palestine?: 

Labour MP Zarah Sultana spoke about Israel's continued targeting of Palestinian journalists, demanding  accountability:

The SNP's Joanna Cherry QC MP asked about the appalling behaviour at Shireen Abu Akleh's funeral:

Labour MP Stella Creasy spoke about why an independent investigation into the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh matters : 

Conservative MP Crispin Blunt asks what the UK government has done to enforce accountability on Israel, highlighting with the "shaming contrast" to UK policy on Ukraine: 

Labour MP Kim Johnson called for an ICC investigation into Shireen Abu Akleh's killing: