Occupied Palestine – The Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association (AMEJA) has condemned earlier today Israel’s killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shereen Abu Aqleh, calling for a “transparent and independent investigation.”
“Journalists around the globe are increasingly under attack,” the AMEJA said in a statement.
“Shireen’s death is a reminder of the dangers they face in trying to expose the truth. Her courage and determination to report the Palestinian story is a tribute to our profession.”
“AMEJA joins other organizations in demanding a transparent and independent investigation into the actions that led to Shireen’s death. Video shows Shireen and her colleagues were wearing press vests and helmets and were clearly identifiable as
journalists.”
“Journalists should be able to do their jobs without the threat of grave harm,” AMEJA noted.
“The perpetrators have to be held accountable. Shireen joined Al Jazeera in 1997 and soon after became a household name for those following the Israeli occupation.”
According to the Qatar-based news channel and the Palestinian Health Ministry, Shereen Abu Aqleh was shot in the face by a single bullet fired by Israeli forces while she was covering an Israeli military raid into the Jenin refugee camp despite wearing a press vest.
She was rushed to Ibn Sina hospital in critical condition and was announced dead soon afterwards.
Another journalist identified as Ali Asmoadi who works for the Jerusalem-based Al-Quds newspaper was also shot in the back by Israeli live bullet during the same raid and he is in a stable condition.
