Reporter killed by Israeli forces: inquiry
Information reviewed by the UN human rights office suggests Israeli security forces fired the shots that killed Palestinian-American reporter Shireen Abu Akleh in May, not indiscriminate firing from Palestinians, a spokesperson says.
Shireen Abu Akleh Photo: Twitter
“It is deeply disturbing that Israeli authorities have not conducted a criminal investigation,” Ravina Shamdasani told a briefing in Geneva on Friday.
Israeli and Palestinian officials have exchanged recriminations over the incident that also led to chaotic scenes at Abu Akleh’s funeral when Israeli police officers charged at mourners.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said on Friday that it was committed to investigating Abu Akleh’s death and called on the Palestinian authorities to share access to the bullet that killed her.
Shamdasani said the United Nation rights office had conducted its own “monitoring” of the incident – she declined to use the word “investigation” – and had gone through photo, video and audio material.
It had also visited the scene, consulted experts, reviewed official communications and interviewed witnesses, she said.
“All information we have gathered – including official information from the Israeli military and the Palestinian Attorney-General – is consistent with the finding that the shots that killed Abu Akleh and injured her colleague Ali Sammoudi came from Israeli Security Forces and not from indiscriminate firing by armed Palestinians, as initially claimed by Israeli authorities,” she said.
The Palestinian Authority has said its investigation showed that Abu Akleh was shot by an Israeli soldier in a “deliberate murder.” Israel denied the accusation.
Abu Akleh was shot dead on May 11 while she was covering an Israeli military raid in the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank.
“Our findings indicate that no warnings were issued and no shooting was taking place at that time and at that location,” Shamdasani said.
“At around 06h 30, as four of the journalists turned into the street leading to the camp, wearing bulletproof helmets and flak jackets with ‘PRESS’ markings, several single, seemingly well-aimed bullets were fired towards them from the direction of the Israeli Security Forces,” she said.
“One single bullet injured Ali Sammoudi in the shoulder, another single bullet hit Abu Akleh in the head and killed her instantly.”
In a statement responding to Shamdasani’s briefing, the IDF insisted there had been an exchange of fire between Israeli forces and Palestinian gunmen.
Defence Minister Benny Gantz . Photo by Shalev Shalom/TPS
“Ever since the incident, the IDF has been investigating and reviewing the circumstances of Ms Abu Akleh’s death,” the statement said.
“The IDF investigation clearly concludes that Ms Abu Akleh was not intentionally shot by an IDF soldier and that it is not possible to determine whether she was killed by a Palestinian gunman shooting indiscriminately in her area or inadvertently by an IDF soldier.”
Israel’s Defence Minister Benny Gantz responded to the report saying: “Once again I express my condolences following the death of journalist Shireen Abu-Akleh. Her loved ones deserve to know the truth behind her tragic death – and we may only uncover the truth by conducting a thorough ballistic, forensic investigation and not through unfounded investigations such as the one published by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The IDF operates day and night to thwart bloodthirsty terrorists who seek to conduct terror attacks and murder Israeli citizens. At the same time, the IDF takes all the possible measures to prevent harm to uninvolved civilians. In addition, the IDF conducts thorough investigations.
IDF troops came under heavy gunfire during the events that lead to Shireen’s death and responded accordingly.
I once again call on the Palestinian Authority to deliver the bullet that hit Shireen, to the State of Israel. That is what must be done in order to uncover the truth.
IDF troops have my full backing to continue operating in order to ensure the security of Israel’s citizens.”
AAP/J-Wire
Without the bullet checking rifles cannot be checked. The “monitoring” was a sham; it cannot be undertaken after the event. The imputation of intent in the death of Akleh demonstrates prejudice. In any event, Akleh would not have been killed had not unlawful combatants attacked the IDF. Akleh’s helmet and flak-jacked is proof that shooting was anticipated.