Abbas mourns Peres on anniversary of Al-Durrah’s murder

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attended former Israeli leader Shimon Peres’ funeral today on the 16th anniversary of the murder of Palestinian child Muhammad Al-Durrah during the Second Intifada.

16 years ago today, Israeli forces shot Muhammad dead in cold blood as his father, Jamal Al-Durrah, tried to shield him during widespread violence that broke out across the Palestinian territories. The entire event was caught on camera.

The harrowing footage showed father and son crouching behind a concrete pillar as they were trying to find shelter from Israeli forces who had opened fire. Jamal could be seen signalling to try and get the soldiers to stop firing, only for a burst of Israeli gunfire to put a premature end to the Palestinian child’s life.

Meanwhile, Abbas received permission from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to attend Peres’ funeral today, and was seen mourning the late Israeli statesman.

Former British Prime Ministers David Cameron (C) and Tony Blair (R) attend the funeral ceremony of former Israeli President Shimon Peres at Mount Herzl cemetery in Jerusalem September 30, 2016. REUTERS/Abir Sultan/Pool

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (C) sits alongside European Council President Donald Tusk (L) as they attend the funeral of Shimon Peres, 93, on Mount Herzl Cemetery in Jerusalem, September 30, 2016. REUTERS/Abir Sultan/Pool

Britain’s Prince Charles (L) and French President Francois Hollande (R) are seen upon their arrival to attend the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres at Mount Herzl cemetery in Jerusalem September 30, 2016. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) during the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem on 30 September, 2016 [Amos Ben Gershom/Reuters]

French President Francois Hollande (R) and Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (L) are seen upon their arrival to attend the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres at Mount Herzl cemetery in Jerusalem September 30, 2016. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama on September 30, 2016 [REUTERS/Pool via Reuters TV]