UNESCO Condemns Israeli Killing of Palestinian Journalist

dpatop – Palestinian journalists and mourners carry the body of Palestinian journalist Yasser Murtaja, who was shot by Israeli sniper.

Paris, MINA — UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay on Tuesday condemned the killing of Palestinian photographer Yasser Murtaja, who died on April 7 after being shot by Israeli snipers while covering a largely-peaceful demonstration at the Gaza-Israeli border., KUNA reported.

“I condemn the killing of Yasser Murtaja and welcome the decision of the Israeli authorities to investigate this killing,” Azoulay said in a statement.

Murtaja was shot on April 6 by Israeli soldiers despite wearing a clearly-identifiable flak jacket with visible press markings and carrying a camera.

The deceased press professional was working freelance of “Al Jazeera” but also worked as a cameraman for other media and on documentary projects.

Israel has shot dead more than two dozen Palestinian, most of them civilians, in two demonstrations that take place every Friday of the week.

Estimates of the number of wounded in the demonstrations put the toll at around 1,500, as Israeli snipers have been given the green light to fire freely on the unarmed demonstrators.

Calls for an international enquiry into the mass shootings have been rejected by the Israeli government. (T/RS5.RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)