Israeli and Palestinian authorities must undertake an early, thorough, and open inquiry into the assassination of Al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the West Bank today.
According to an Al-Jazeera report, a video of the aftermath of the shooting posted on Twitter by Al-Jazeera, and multiple news outlets, Abu Akleh, a prominent Palestinian-American correspondent for Al-Jazeera Arabic, was fatally shot in the head while covering an Israeli army operation in the West Bank town of Jenin on Wednesday, May 11. According to those reports, she was transferred to a hospital and later pronounced dead. Abu Akleh is seen in the video wearing a vest labeled “Press.”
We are appalled and strongly condemn the killing of popular Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the West Bank while she was performing her job and plainly identifiable as a journalist. We call for an urgent and comprehensive inquiry into her death. Journalists must be able to work freely and safely without fear of being targeted.
According to Al-Jazeera English, a producer for Al-Jazeera, Ali al-Samoudi, was also shot and injured while working in the same area; he was treated in a nearby hospital and is in stable condition.
Qatari-based Al-Jazeera said in a statement that Israeli troops had targeted Abu Akleh.
In a tweet, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett refuted the charges. According to CNN, the Israeli Defense Personnel stated that its forces were in the area “to arrest suspects in terrorist operations,” and that both Palestinian suspects and Israeli forces were firing at the time. According to the Associated Press, in a statement made later that day, May 11, Israeli army leader Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi said, “at this moment, we cannot tell whose firing she was damaged by, and we grieve her death.” In a tweet, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid stated that Israel had volunteered to undertake a joint inquiry into her murder with Palestinians.
In a tweet, US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides verified that Abu Akleh was an American citizen and urged for an inquiry into the circumstances of her death.
We are appalled and strongly condemn the killing of popular Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the West Bank while she was performing her job and plainly identifiable as a journalist. We call for an urgent and comprehensive inquiry into her death. Journalists must be able to work freely and safely without fear of being targeted.