Investigation into the Death of Shireen Abu Akleh: A Look Back One Year On
On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the tragic death of Al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, a memorial mass was held in Beit Hanina, Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem [1]. The memorial service took place on May 9, 2023, a few days before the anniversary on May 11, 2023.
Abu Akleh, a US-Palestinian journalist, was shot dead on May 11, 2022, during an Israeli army raid in the occupied West Bank [2]. Palestinians allege that she was targeted during the raid to silence her, as she was outspoken on Israeli violations in the West Bank [3]. Despite widespread recognition of Israeli responsibility for her killing, no charges have been brought against those responsible [2].
This lack of accountability is a reflection of a broader pattern of impunity for attacks on journalists in conflict zones, particularly in relation to the Israeli military's actions in Palestinian territories [2][3]. International and journalistic organizations have made investigations and calls for justice, but Israel has not prosecuted any individuals involved in her death [3].
One of the journalists present during the shooting, Shatha Hanaysha, took to Twitter to reflect on the day she witnessed her colleague's killing [4]. Hanaysha tweeted that she and Abu Akleh died under a tree on the day of the shooting. Her tweet was a call for justice for Abu Akleh, both in the afterlife and on earth [5].
Abu Akleh's niece, Lina, has been actively demanding justice for her aunt's killing in various international forums and on social media platforms [6]. Last Wednesday, U.S. Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel was asked about the administration's stance on the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh during a press briefing [7].
According to Patel, the U.S. has been urging Israel to consider additional steps to mitigate the risk of civilian harm and protect journalists [8]. The U.S. has also been pressing Israel to review its military rules as a way of seeking accountability for Abu Akleh's death.
The tweet published by Albawaba trainee Batool Darweesh on May 7, 2023, was a personal reflection by Shatha Hanaysha [5]. In her tweet, Hanaysha expressed her hope for justice for Abu Akleh, both from the heavens and on earth [5]. This tweet was a poignant reminder of the ongoing quest for justice and accountability in the tragic death of a courageous journalist.
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