Blinken dismisses evidence holding Israel accountable for Shireen Abu Akleh killing
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the facts had 'not been established' in the killing of veteran Al Jazeera journalist
A photo taken on 19 May 2022 shows drawings at an art exhibit honouring slain Palestinian Al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh at the spot where she was killed (AFP)
By MEE staff
Published date: 8 June 2022
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken refused to answer questions on why Israel has not been held accountable over the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, despite eyewitness testimony, media investigations and her employer blaming Israeli forces for her death.
During a Summit of the Americas event in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Abby Martin, the host of the independent documentary and interview series The Empire Files, asked Blinken why there have been "absolutely no repercussions" for Israel over Abu Akleh's killing, or for Saudi Arabia for the killing of Middle East Eye columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
"Secretary Blinken, what about Shireen Abu Akleh?" asked Martin. "She was murdered by Israeli forces. CNN just agreed to this. These are our two greatest allies in the Middle East: Saudi Arabia and Israel. They have murdered American journalists and there have been absolutely no repercussions.
"Why is there no accountability for Israel or Saudi Arabia for murdering journalists?"
Blinken responded by saying: "I deplore the loss of Shireen. She was a remarkable journalist, an American citizen."
After Martin objected to Blinken's assertion that the evidence in the case was not yet clear, the secretary pushed back: "I'm sorry, with respect, [the facts] have not yet been established."
"We are looking for an independent, credible investigation. When that investigation happens, we will follow the facts, wherever they lead. It's as straightforward as that," he said.
The remarks effectively dismissed an investigation carried out by the Palestinian Authority (PA), which concluded last month that Abu Akleh had been deliberately targeted by Israeli troops.
Eyewitnesses and colleagues who were present at the time of the killing, including Middle East Eye correspondent Shatha Hanaysha, have all said that Abu Akleh was targeted by an Israeli sniper. Al Jazeera has said Abu Akleh was "assassinated in cold blood".
The CNN investigation that Martin referenced concluded that "there was no active combat, nor any Palestinian militants, near Abu Akleh in the moments leading up to her death” and that the evidence "suggests that Abu Akleh was shot dead in a targeted attack by Israeli forces".
The Associated Press has also carried out a reconstruction of Abu Akleh's killing and reported that their findings lend "support to assertions from both Palestinian authorities and Abu Akleh's colleagues that the bullet that cut her down came from an Israeli gun".
Shireen Abu Akleh: UN renames Palestinian media programme after slain journalist
Shireen Abu Akleh: US senators call for investigation into journalist's killingSecretary of State Antony Blinken said the facts had 'not been established' in the killing of veteran Al Jazeera journalist
A photo taken on 19 May 2022 shows drawings at an art exhibit honouring slain Palestinian Al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh at the spot where she was killed (AFP)
By MEE staff
Published date: 8 June 2022
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken refused to answer questions on why Israel has not been held accountable over the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, despite eyewitness testimony, media investigations and her employer blaming Israeli forces for her death.
During a Summit of the Americas event in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Abby Martin, the host of the independent documentary and interview series The Empire Files, asked Blinken why there have been "absolutely no repercussions" for Israel over Abu Akleh's killing, or for Saudi Arabia for the killing of Middle East Eye columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
"Secretary Blinken, what about Shireen Abu Akleh?" asked Martin. "She was murdered by Israeli forces. CNN just agreed to this. These are our two greatest allies in the Middle East: Saudi Arabia and Israel. They have murdered American journalists and there have been absolutely no repercussions.
"Why is there no accountability for Israel or Saudi Arabia for murdering journalists?"
Blinken responded by saying: "I deplore the loss of Shireen. She was a remarkable journalist, an American citizen."
After Martin objected to Blinken's assertion that the evidence in the case was not yet clear, the secretary pushed back: "I'm sorry, with respect, [the facts] have not yet been established."
"We are looking for an independent, credible investigation. When that investigation happens, we will follow the facts, wherever they lead. It's as straightforward as that," he said.
The remarks effectively dismissed an investigation carried out by the Palestinian Authority (PA), which concluded last month that Abu Akleh had been deliberately targeted by Israeli troops.
Eyewitnesses and colleagues who were present at the time of the killing, including Middle East Eye correspondent Shatha Hanaysha, have all said that Abu Akleh was targeted by an Israeli sniper. Al Jazeera has said Abu Akleh was "assassinated in cold blood".
The CNN investigation that Martin referenced concluded that "there was no active combat, nor any Palestinian militants, near Abu Akleh in the moments leading up to her death” and that the evidence "suggests that Abu Akleh was shot dead in a targeted attack by Israeli forces".
The Associated Press has also carried out a reconstruction of Abu Akleh's killing and reported that their findings lend "support to assertions from both Palestinian authorities and Abu Akleh's colleagues that the bullet that cut her down came from an Israeli gun".
Shireen Abu Akleh: UN renames Palestinian media programme after slain journalist
Read More »
Calls have grown both in the US and internationally for an independent investigation into Abu Akleh's killing.
More than 50 US lawmakers signed a letter last month calling on the FBI and State Department to intervene and lead a probe.
On Monday, Republican Senator Mitt Romney, along with his Democratic colleague Senator Jon Ossoff, called on the Biden administration to conduct "a full and transparent investigation" into the killing.
The PA has refused to hand over the bullet to Israel, saying Israel could not be trusted to investigate the conduct of its military. Rights groups have also said Israel has a poor record of investigating the conduct of its forces in relation to Palestinian deaths.
Al Jazeera has referred the case to the International Criminal Court in the Hague and vowed to bring the killers to justice through all international legal platforms.
The ICC opens investigations in places where domestic authorities are unable or unwilling to look into allegations of abuse.
Israel, however, maintains that it is not subject to the court's mandate because it is not a signatory to the Rome Statute that established the tribunal, and that the ICC cannot investigate abuses in the Palestinian territories because Palestine is not a state.
Calls have grown both in the US and internationally for an independent investigation into Abu Akleh's killing.
More than 50 US lawmakers signed a letter last month calling on the FBI and State Department to intervene and lead a probe.
On Monday, Republican Senator Mitt Romney, along with his Democratic colleague Senator Jon Ossoff, called on the Biden administration to conduct "a full and transparent investigation" into the killing.
The PA has refused to hand over the bullet to Israel, saying Israel could not be trusted to investigate the conduct of its military. Rights groups have also said Israel has a poor record of investigating the conduct of its forces in relation to Palestinian deaths.
Al Jazeera has referred the case to the International Criminal Court in the Hague and vowed to bring the killers to justice through all international legal platforms.
The ICC opens investigations in places where domestic authorities are unable or unwilling to look into allegations of abuse.
Israel, however, maintains that it is not subject to the court's mandate because it is not a signatory to the Rome Statute that established the tribunal, and that the ICC cannot investigate abuses in the Palestinian territories because Palestine is not a state.
Republican Mitt Romney and Democrat Jon Ossoff call on the Biden administration to ensure 'justice is served' over the killing of Palestinian-American journalist
Pro-Palestine activists call for justice for Shireen Abu Akleh
at a Nakba Day rally in New York City, on 15 May 2022
(MEE/Azad Essa)
By MEE staff
Published date: 7 June 2022
Two senior US senators have called on the Biden administration to conduct "a full and transparent investigation" into the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
Republican Senator Mitt Romney, along with his Democratic colleague Senator Jon Ossoff, called on the State Department on Monday to ensure that "justice is served", in a letter addressed to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
"The killing of a US citizen and of a journalist engaged in the work of reporting in a conflict zone is unacceptable. All over the world, journalists pursue truth and accountability at great personal risk," the letter said.
"Press freedom is a core American value, and we cannot accept impunity when journalists are killed in the line of duty. We insist that the Administration ensure a full and transparent investigation is completed and that justice is served for Ms Akleh's death."
Abu Akleh, 51, was shot dead by Israeli forces on 11 May near the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank while covering an Israeli raid. Her colleague Ali al-Samoudi was also shot and injured.
Israel had initially said Palestinian gunmen may have been responsible for the death but then backtracked on its statement, saying it was still unclear what transpired.
Eyewitnesses, including MEE correspondent Shatha Hanaysha, said Abu Akleh was targeted by an Israeli sniper.
The bullet that killed Abu Akleh is in the possession of the Palestinian Authority (PA), which has refused a joint probe with the Israelis, saying Israel could not be trusted to investigate the conduct of its military.
Rights groups have also said this, saying Israel has a poor record of investigating the conduct of its forces in relation to Palestinian deaths.
The State Department did not respond to a request from Middle East Eye for comment on the letter or whether the Biden administration would launch an investigation into the killing of a US citizen.
Monday's letter comes just days after a bipartisan group of US lawmakers called for an independent investigation into Abu Akleh's killing. The letter was signed by 24 members of the House - 14 Democrats and 10 Republicans.
That letter was met with criticism from Palestinians and some Jewish groups, saying that it follows Israeli government viewpoints and calls the Palestinian Authority "obstinate" for not complying with Israel on an investigation.
Al Jazeera has referred the case to the International Criminal Court in the Hague and vowed to bring the killers to justice through all international legal platforms.
Shireen Abu Akleh: US lawmakers call for independent probe into journalist's killing
Letter marks the second effort by members of congress calling for investigation into the killing of Al Jazeera reporter
Protestors hold signs calling for justice for Shireen Abu Akleh in the Bay Ridge neighbourhood of the Brooklyn borough of New York City, on 15 May 2022 (AFP)
Shireen Abu Akleh: Dozens of US lawmakers demand FBI probe into killing
Letter marks the second effort by members of congress calling for investigation into the killing of Al Jazeera reporter
Protestors hold signs calling for justice for Shireen Abu Akleh in the Bay Ridge neighbourhood of the Brooklyn borough of New York City, on 15 May 2022 (AFP)
By MEE staff in
Washington
Published date: 3 June 2022
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers is calling for an independent investigation into the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, the second such congressional effort in the past two weeks.
The letter, obtained by Jewish Insider, has been signed by 24 members of the House - 14 Democrats and 10 Republicans - and is expected to be sent to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday.
"No journalist should face threats or violence for doing their job. As such, it is critical that we get to the bottom of what happened in the incident involving Ms Akleh," the letter said.
"Only an independent investigation can resolve this situation, and provide solace to the families and all parties."
The letter was met with criticism from Palestinians and some Jewish groups, saying that it follows Israeli government viewpoints and calls the Palestinian Authority “obstinate” for not complying with Israel on an investigation.
Abu Akleh, a 25-year veteran journalist for Al Jazeera Arabic, was shot dead by Israeli forces on 11 May while covering an Israeli raid into the Palestinian village of Jenin.
Israel had initially said Palestinian gunmen may have been responsible for the death but then backtracked on its statement, saying it was still unclear what transpired.
Eyewitnesses, including MEE correspondent Shatha Hanaysha, said Abu Akleh was targeted by an Israeli sniper.
Washington
Published date: 3 June 2022
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers is calling for an independent investigation into the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, the second such congressional effort in the past two weeks.
The letter, obtained by Jewish Insider, has been signed by 24 members of the House - 14 Democrats and 10 Republicans - and is expected to be sent to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday.
"No journalist should face threats or violence for doing their job. As such, it is critical that we get to the bottom of what happened in the incident involving Ms Akleh," the letter said.
"Only an independent investigation can resolve this situation, and provide solace to the families and all parties."
The letter was met with criticism from Palestinians and some Jewish groups, saying that it follows Israeli government viewpoints and calls the Palestinian Authority “obstinate” for not complying with Israel on an investigation.
Abu Akleh, a 25-year veteran journalist for Al Jazeera Arabic, was shot dead by Israeli forces on 11 May while covering an Israeli raid into the Palestinian village of Jenin.
Israel had initially said Palestinian gunmen may have been responsible for the death but then backtracked on its statement, saying it was still unclear what transpired.
Eyewitnesses, including MEE correspondent Shatha Hanaysha, said Abu Akleh was targeted by an Israeli sniper.
Shireen Abu Akleh: Dozens of US lawmakers demand FBI probe into killing
Read More »
Last month, a larger group of 57 lawmakers signed another letter to Blinken demanding that the FBI and State Department investigate the murder of Abu Akleh.
However, a Biden administration official told The Times of Israel last week that it would not be carrying out its own probe of the incident, and would instead be assisting Israel. The official also said that the US hopes the PA will share its "evidence" with Israel when asked about the bullet.
The bullet that killed Abu Akleh is in the possession of the Palestinian Authority (PA), which has refused a joint probe with the Israelis, saying Israel could not be trusted to investigate the conduct of its military.
Rights groups have also said this, saying Israel has a poor record of investigating the conduct of its forces in relation to Palestinian deaths.
The lawmakers, however, accused the PA of prohibiting a proper investigation by refusing to hand over the bullet, saying that without giving the bullet to the Israelis, "it is impossible to determine all the facts".
However, a CNN investigation concluded that it was possible to investigate the killing without the bullet by "analysing the type of gunfire, the sound of the shots and the marks left by the bullets at the scene".
The PA, along with Al Jazeera and a consortium of international lawyers, have all called on the International Criminal Court to launch an investigation into the killing.
The ICC opens investigations in places where domestic authorities are unable or unwilling to look into allegations of abuse.
Israel, however, maintains that it is not subject to the court's mandate because it is not a signatory to the Rome Statute that established the tribunal, and that the ICC cannot investigate abuses in the Palestinian territories because Palestine is not a state.
Last month, a larger group of 57 lawmakers signed another letter to Blinken demanding that the FBI and State Department investigate the murder of Abu Akleh.
However, a Biden administration official told The Times of Israel last week that it would not be carrying out its own probe of the incident, and would instead be assisting Israel. The official also said that the US hopes the PA will share its "evidence" with Israel when asked about the bullet.
The bullet that killed Abu Akleh is in the possession of the Palestinian Authority (PA), which has refused a joint probe with the Israelis, saying Israel could not be trusted to investigate the conduct of its military.
Rights groups have also said this, saying Israel has a poor record of investigating the conduct of its forces in relation to Palestinian deaths.
The lawmakers, however, accused the PA of prohibiting a proper investigation by refusing to hand over the bullet, saying that without giving the bullet to the Israelis, "it is impossible to determine all the facts".
However, a CNN investigation concluded that it was possible to investigate the killing without the bullet by "analysing the type of gunfire, the sound of the shots and the marks left by the bullets at the scene".
The PA, along with Al Jazeera and a consortium of international lawyers, have all called on the International Criminal Court to launch an investigation into the killing.
The ICC opens investigations in places where domestic authorities are unable or unwilling to look into allegations of abuse.
Israel, however, maintains that it is not subject to the court's mandate because it is not a signatory to the Rome Statute that established the tribunal, and that the ICC cannot investigate abuses in the Palestinian territories because Palestine is not a state.
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