Washington – Several US lawmakers have condemned Israel’s killing of Al Jazeera Journalist Shereen Abu Aqleh and called for a probe into the incident.
“Shocking to learn that Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh, a 51-year old U.S. citizen, was shot in the face and killed while reporting in the occupied West Bank,” Congresswoman Betty McCollum wrote on Twitter. “This must be condemned and investigated, and there must be accountability.”
Congressman Mark Pocan also called Israel’s killing of Abu Aqleh “shameful”.
“She was killed by the Israeli military, after making her presence as a journalist clearly known. We provide Israel with $3.8 billion in military aid annually with no restrictions. What will it take for accountability for these human rights violations?” tweeted Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.
“When will the world and those who stand by Apartheid Israel that continues to murder, torture and commit war crimes finally say: “Enough”? Shireen Abu Akleh was murdered by a government that receives unconditional funding by our country with zero accountability,” wrote Rashida Tlaib on Twitter.
On the House floor, on Wednesday, Tlaib also held a moment of silence to honor Abu Aqleh. “People woke up to the killing Shireen Abu Akleh and I would like to do a moment of silence [over this] this shocking news, a journalist of over twenty years, a Palestinian-American killed,” said Tlaib while visibly holding back tears.
Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, also tweeted, “The killing of American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh is an horrific tragedy. A thorough, objective investigation is needed now.”
According to the Qatar-based news channel, Al Jazeera, 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, earlier on Wednesday. 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.
