Palestine/United States: The United States Opens An Investigation Into The Killing Of Palestinian-American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh
Location: United States
Date: November 14, 2022
The US Department of Justice has commenced an FBI investigation into the fatal shooting of prominent Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. The Coalition For Women In Journalism embraces the news and hopes that the investigation will bring to justice those accountable for this atrocious act of violence against Shireen Abu Akleh.
Shireen Abu Akleh was fatally shot in the Israel-occupied West Bank in May 2022. The Al Jazeera renowned veteran journalist, known for covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, was in the field reporting on an Israseli raid in Jenin when she was killed by Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Sources say that at the time she was wearing a vest and a helmet, visibly marked as “press.”’ The Israeli government has since rejected and opposed any allegations that Abu Akleh’s killing was deliberate. However, various media reports and sources, as well as the Palestinian government, have stated that Abu Akleh was “assassinated in cold blood” by Israel.
On Monday, November 14, Israeli authorities confirmed that the US Department of Justice has in fact begun an FBI criminal probe into the death of Abu Akleh. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz clarified that there will be no collaboration between Israel and any external investigation. Gantz announced that Israel will not allow “interference” in the country’s internal affairs. Gantz then added “The decision taken by the US Justice Department to conduct an investigation into the tragic passing of Shireen Abu Akleh, is a mistake."
In September Israel stated that there was a “high possibility” that Abu Akleh was killed by Israeli fire, but concluded the incident was accidental and no soldiers would be investigated or charged. “It appears that it is not possible to unequivocally determine the source of the gunfire which hit and killed Ms. Abu Akleh. However, there is a high possibility that Ms. Abu Akleh was accidentally hit by IDF gunfire fired toward suspects identified as armed Palestinian gunmen during an exchange of fire,” said the IDF. The IDF's Military Advocate General’s Office said in a separate statement “...there was no suspicion of a criminal offense that warrants the opening of an MPCID investigation.”
The welcomed investigation has come following months of pressure by Abu Akleh’s family as well as press freedom groups, including CFWIJ, calling for an independent and transparent investigative process.
On Tuesday, November 15, Abu Akleh’s family released a statement saying they are “encouraged” by the news and “hope that the United States will use all of the investigative tools at its disposal to get answers about Shireen’s killing and hold those who are responsible for this atrocity accountable.”
The Coalition For Women In Journalism extends support and joins Abu Akleh’s family in urging US authorities and the FBI to guarantee that the criminal probe is absolutely honest, independent, transparent and conclusive. We demand that evidence is aggressively pursued and followed wherever it may lead, so long as justice prevails.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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