Shireen Abu Akleh of Al Jazeera: The United States is refusing to cooperate with an investigation into her killing by Israeli forces
It has been over five months since a Palestinian American reporter was killed by Israeli forces. Her family is pushing for justice and that has brought international scrutiny.
JERUSALEM — The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the fatal shooting of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, Israel confirmed Monday, condemning the probe as a “grave mistake” and vowing not to cooperate.
Israel has made it clear to the United States that we won’t cooperate with any external investigation, according to Israel’s defense minister.
Palestinian officials, Abu Akleh’s family and Al Jazeera accuse Israel of intentionally targeting and killing the 51-year-old journalist, who was wearing a helmet and a protective vest marked with the word “press” when she was shot last May in the occupied West Bank.
She had covered the West Bank for Al Jazeera for two decades and was a well-known face across the Arab world. Her death affected everyone in the region.
Abu Akleh’s family did not immediately respond to requests for comment late Monday, nor did Palestinian Foreign Ministry officials. Benjamin Netanyahu, who is expected to return to lead thecountry in the coming weeks, also had no immediate comment.
Investigation of Non-natural Deaths of Government Employees and Military Employees in a U.S.-Alliance Country: Israel Not Having a Criminal Investigation
The FBI or other US investigators are not uncommon in their investigations into non-natural deaths of American citizens abroad, particularly if they are government employees.
However, such separate investigations are not the rule and it is rare, if not unprecedented, for them to occur in a U.S.-allied country like Israel that is recognized in Washington as having a credible and independent judicial system.
Critics have long said the military does a poor job at investigating wrongdoing by its troops. Israeli authorities decided against launching a criminal investigation after their own investigation into the death.