The bullet that killed prominent Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in May is believed to have come from the barrel of an Israeli gun. But nothing points to intent. These are the main conclusions of an American investigation into Abu Akleh’s death.
The death on May 11 near Jenin of the respected journalist, Al Jazeera correspondent, sparked outrage among many Palestinians. They saw it as a symbol of the impunity with which Israeli soldiers in the West Bank often kill unarmed Palestinians. The issue has been a bone of contention between Israel and the Palestinians for weeks and also threatens to overshadow US President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel later this month.
‘unacceptable’
The family of Abu Akleh pointed out the summary statement from the United States Department of State, in which the claims were made public. “We really can’t believe the US State Department would come out with such a statement,” said her brother Tony Abu Akleh. to the BBC Tuesday. “This is unacceptable.” A Palestinian Authority spokesman accused Washington of protecting Israel.
Also read: Journalist Al Jazeera shot dead ‘in cold blood’
The Palestinian side has consistently argued that 51-year-old Shireen was deliberately shot dead by Israeli soldiers in a refugee camp near the city of Jenin in the West Bank. At the time, she was wearing a bullet-proof vest clearly marked as belonging to the media. However, the journalist was hit in the head. A Palestinian colleague close to her was also hit, but his injuries were not serious.
The Israeli authorities, for their part, did not rule out that Abu Akleh had been killed by an Israeli soldier, but suggested that the bullet could also have come from local Palestinians who allegedly fired at the Israeli army. In Jenin, traditionally a Palestinian center of resistance, such armed confrontations regularly occur.
The Israelis offered to investigate the bullet that killed Abu Akleh, but the Palestinian Authority did not trust them enough and refused. Palestinian confidence was further damaged by Abu Akleh’s funeral, with Israeli police units attacking the funeral procession so that her coffin nearly fell to the ground.
Forensic Experts
However, after weeks of negotiations, the bullet was entrusted to an American diplomat last weekend. Israeli forensic experts then examined the projectile in the presence of US officials. However, because it was damaged, the Americans said afterwards, no definitive conclusions could be drawn. Nevertheless, they also concluded that the bullet probably came from an Israeli rifle. What they based their second conclusion – that there had been no intent – has remained unclear in the meantime.